A Soulful Journey

George Jessel told the story of his uncle who came as a new immigrant to the United States. He applied for citizenship. The uncle was asked a series of long questions by a judge. Finally, the judge asked, "Mr. Goldberg, why can't you be president of the United States?" He replied, "I'm too busy in my business." When you set your mind to something, let nothing stand in your way. Focus. Think. Plan. And if you get derailed, get back on the tracks and resume your journey.

"The pacifists...merely assert that it only men loved one another, all the more complex and sometimes horrible realities of the political order could be dispensed with. They do not see that their 'if' begs the most basic problem of human history. It is because men are sinners that justice can be achieved only by a certain degree of coercion on the one hand, and by resistance to coercion and tyranny on the other hand." Reinhold Niebuhr Life is always a balance .

There is a story of Goethe visiting a massive cathedral. Goethe spotted beggars out front. Many poor sat with their hands extended asking and hoping for donations. There was one man who received far more attention and contributions than the rest. He sat with a placard in front of his chest reading, "It is April and I am blind." Thank God for what we have, the pieces not missing.

"While I was on my way home one afternoon, a black lady who had been our maid got on. I had been taught that when a lady gets on a bus, you offer your seat. So I gave her mine , but some kids started snickering and whispering as though I had done something really dumb. When I got home, I told this to Mom who was fixing dinner at the long table in the kitchen. She stopped what she was doing, sat me down opposite her in the breakfast nook, and told me that what I'd done was right. Then she said: "You have to understand that you're one of the luckiest people in the world. You were born white, you were born Protestant, and you were born American. That means you'll be spared prejudices that a lot of other people have to put up with. But always remember: You had nothing to do with the fact that you were born that way. It gives you no right to look down on anybody who wasn't. No matter what the other children say, you must never look down on anybody....

"Le roi est most, vive le roi !" The King is dead, long live the king!" At times, it may look like the end of the world. We become deeply sad, depressed, disillusioned with life and yet. When one sun sets another is about to rise. Never abandon hope.

"And soon Job's pastures dried up and his tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth so he could not pronounce the word "frankincense" without getting big laughs." - Woody Allen Life is serious but it also demands that we take time each day to laugh.

Rabbi Haim Gedalia of Ushpitzin "interceded with God in favor of an innkeeper who was notorious for his many sins. ‘Very well, I forgive him,’ said the Almighty. Pleased with his success, the rabbi began to search out all sinners to defend. This time, God didn’t listen. Remorseful, the Rabbi fasted for six days waiting for the reason of God’s displeasure. "You were wrong to look for sinners.’ A celestial voice told him. ‘If God chooses to look away, you should do the same.’ " Elie Wiesel