Rabbi Meyer Heller tells of the strongest and shortest sermon on record, consisting of only nine words, given in New York City at the turn of the century. Rabbi Jacob Joseph had come from Vilna to become the Chief Rabbi of New York City. He was a man with vast learning and a phenomenal memory who could speak for hours, quoting at length from a variety of sources. No one of such Jewish learning and stature had ever graced America’s shores before. When he spoke, the entire Lower East Side came to hear him. People walked from all over, even arranging to sleep in Manhattan wanted to be present at what was considered a major spiritual and intellectual event. But sadly, Rabbi Joseph suffered a stroke. It was not known whether he would ever be able to speak again. To recover slowly and was finally released from the hospital just before Rosh Hashana. The community waiting anxiously to see if he would address them again. His family and friends tried to dissuade him ...
Come for a dose of inspiration from some of the greatest (and at times oddest) minds of history. The table is set. Come eat.