Forwarded with the Kind Permission of Rabbi Yehuda L Oppenheimer
Something Powerful to Contemplate
-RRW
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You are being watched!
Several years ago, a rabbi from out-of-state accepted a call to a community in Houston , Texas . Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it'.
Then he thought: 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet'.
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said: 'Here, you gave me too much change'.
The driver, with a smile, replied: 'Aren't you the new rabbi in town?'
'Yes' he replied.
'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you in Shul on Shabbos'.
When the rabbi stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh Rebono Shel Olam, I almost sold a Yid for a quarter.'
Our lives are the only thing some people will ever read.
This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as "JEW", and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of HaShem on your shoulders when you call yourself a 'JEW'.
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
2 comments:
I appreciate and accept the basic premise here, my problem with such stories is usually the same: are you suggesting we follow Halacha for the added reason that people are watching us? That seems redundant--God is (so to speak) watching. Are you suggesting we go 'beyond the letter of the law' to be extra careful about outside perception? Isn't this also already a Halachic principle, so reverting to the first issue?
This story was an adaptation of one told in Christian circles. Certain remaining details are worded strangely for a Jewish story.
Not convinced? Try these keyword phrases together on Google (use the quotation marks):
"I almost sold" "for a quarter"
You'll find many Christian references.
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