A Soulful Journey

An American tourist entered a Moscow butcher shop. "I'm giving a party for some friends," he said. "Please wrap up ten steaks."  "I'll be happy to," smiled the clerk.  "Give me the steaks." - Harris and Rabinovich Thank you, God, for this day when I do not go hungry and want.

Rabbi Natan Bar Abba taught in the name of Rav: “The world is dark for those who depend for their meals on the generosity of others, as it is written, ‘He wanders about seeking bread without knowing where he will find it; he knows that the day is indeed dark for him.’ (Job 15:23)  Rav Hisda said: “More precisely, his life is no life.” –Talmud, Beitzah 32b Our human -- and Jewish -- task is to alleviate the suffering of this world.

There are said to be thirteen benefits derived from eating bread in the morning. -Bread protects from heat   and cold. -It wards off malign spirits and forces of destruction. -It invites the simple to become wise. -Bread assists the plaintiff with his lawsuits. -Bread allows the students to learn Torah and then teach it. -It makes anyone’s words worth hearing. -Learning is recalled through the medium of bread. -After eating bread one’s vitals are refreshed. -Love is retained and evil thoughts are banished with bread. -Bread eradicates disease   and drives away envy. -It enables love to enter the soul. Talmud quoted by Michael J Katz in Night Tales of the Shammes This is all possible when not taking it for granted, for ourselves or others.