A Soulful Journey

A British writer once wrote a satire which characterizes so many people’s attitudes towards their house of worship.   In the Screwtape Letters , he tells this satirical story: The devil sent emissaries to earth.   One of them is charged to keep touch with a certain person and to deliver him safely to hell.   His job is to encourage this man in wrongdoing.   One day Satan’s emissary writes a special-delivery letter to him.   He is failing in his mission.   His charge has joined the church.   The devil wrote back and told him not to worry if he joined the church.   This is what to do.   Every time he comes to services, don’t let him listen to the preaching or the prayers; turn his attention to all the unimportant things.   Let him observe, for example, that the usher is a hypocrite; that the officers are no good; that some people are sleeping; or that the lady in the next pew is wearing a hat that is not becoming. ...

A Hadassah president died.  She was taken to hell, by mistake.  God then asked the Satan to forward the woman but he responded, “Wait a little bit. This woman, a lifelong member of Ort as well as Hadassah is in the middle of a fundraising campaign for air conditioning." Everyone has their place.  Everyone has their hour.  Cherish them.

“I recently came across a whimsical anecdote based on the fantasy of a contemporary rabbi.   He dreamed that Hell had burned down and was utterly consumed. "The Celestial Council met in urgent session to decide on a course of action.   There was, of course, the logistical suggestion that another Hell be built.   But one of the angels disagreed.   “As long as there was an Eternal Inferno, it had to be, but it is not right to build a new one.” “But,” said Satan, “we must have a Hell for those who deserve it.   We would undermine the principles of justice otherwise.” "Both protagonists found some support within the Council.   Neither side would yield and an impasse was reached.   Finally, one of the wisest of the group proposed a compromise.   He pointed out another related problem.   Paradise was decrepit and badly in need of repair.   A committee had already =begun plans for a modernized facility.   Therefore, let the old ...