A Soulful Journey

 Cohen, a shopkeeper, called up a manufacturer to order more goods. “Listen Cohen,” the manufacturer shouted, “You already owe me for the two last orders – and now you have the chutzpah to call in another order for merchandise?   You should be one hundred percent ashamed! You think I’m in business for love?” Cohen pleaded ad explained that he would send a check for his total indebtedness the following day.   “I’m gonna borrow from my wife’s insurance.   Listen, you’ll get a check absolutely in tomorrow’s mail!” The manufacturer relented and said, “Okay – I’ll ship the order.” Then he relaxed for a minute and said, “You know, Cohen, I wish I had a hundred customers like you!” Cohen was stunned, here he was insulted and all of a sudden he I complimented, so he asked, “Listen, first you complained about me and then you say you wish you had a hundred customers like me.   How come?” The manufacturer sighed, “Cohen, let me tell you I really wish I had a hu...

“The very act of prayer is chutzpah, a brazen act.    For it is impossible to stand before God, blessed be He, except brazenly.   Everyone imagines – on one way or another – the greatness of the Creator: how then can one stand in prayer before Him?   That anyone can pray then is a wonder…    Therefore, we must be shameless in prayer.”   -Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav

A Jewish grandmother is watching her grandchild playing on the beach when a huge wave comes and takes him and washes him out to sea.  Never a strong believer she cries, "please God, save my only grandson. I beg of you, bring him back."  Suddenly a big wave comes and washes the boy back onto the beach, good as new. She looks up to heaven and says: "He had a hat!"

Life can be frighteningly serious and if taken too seriously can be unhealthy.   The definition of chutzpah is the child who murders his parents and then pleads leniency in court on the grounds that he is an orphan.

Chutzpa, a definition:  A man goes into a bookstore.  He says, "I want this book.  You pay for it."   -Alan Gould

Past Israeli cabinet minister, David Levy, gets in a cab.  As the cab drives off, the cabbie asks the man if he has heard the latest David Levy joke. Levi angrily replies, “I am David Levy!” “That’s alright,” the cabbie says, “I’ll tell it slow!” Would you could you, laugh if you were David Levy?  When we can laugh at our own foibles we will have mastered our ego.  That is power!

Bennett Cerf used to tell the story of a little boy peering over a fence of a wealthy neighbor. “Please Mr. Beecroft, could I have my arrow back?” “Certainly,” said Mr. Beecroft with calmness and genuine caring.  “Where is it?” “I think,” said the boy,” “that it’s stuck in one of your cats.”