Who has the answer?
December 5th 2006 14:29
Some Hasidim of the Maggid of Mezheritz came to him. "Rebbe, we are puzzled. It says in the Talmud that we must thank God as much for the bad days, as for the good. How can that be? What would our gratitude mean, if we gave it equally for the good and the bad?"
The Maggid replied, "Go to Anapol. Reb Zusya will have an answer for you."
The Hasidim undertook the journey. Arriving in Anapol, they inquired for Reb Zusya. At last, they came to the poorest street of the city. There, crowded between two small houses, they found a tiny shack, sagging with age.
When they entered, they saw Reb Zusya sitting at a bare table, reading a volume by the light of the only small window. "Welcome, strangers!" he said. "Please pardon me for not getting up; I have hurt my leg. Would you like food? I have some bread. And there is water!"
"No. We have come only to ask you a question. The Maggid of Mezheritz told us you might help us understand: Why do our sages tell us to thank God as much for the bad days as for the good?"
Reb Zusya laughed. "Me? I have no idea why the Maggid sent you to me." He shook his head in puzzlement. "You see, I have never had a bad day. Every day God has given to me has been filled with miracles."
This story appears by permission of the author, Doug Lipman. Do visit his Hasidic Stories website.
The Maggid replied, "Go to Anapol. Reb Zusya will have an answer for you."
The Hasidim undertook the journey. Arriving in Anapol, they inquired for Reb Zusya. At last, they came to the poorest street of the city. There, crowded between two small houses, they found a tiny shack, sagging with age.
When they entered, they saw Reb Zusya sitting at a bare table, reading a volume by the light of the only small window. "Welcome, strangers!" he said. "Please pardon me for not getting up; I have hurt my leg. Would you like food? I have some bread. And there is water!"
"No. We have come only to ask you a question. The Maggid of Mezheritz told us you might help us understand: Why do our sages tell us to thank God as much for the bad days as for the good?"
Reb Zusya laughed. "Me? I have no idea why the Maggid sent you to me." He shook his head in puzzlement. "You see, I have never had a bad day. Every day God has given to me has been filled with miracles."
***
This story appears by permission of the author, Doug Lipman. Do visit his Hasidic Stories website.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Interesting and enlightening post.
I shall see that I am having a good day.
katyzzz
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
..you have...
how wonderful...
reminds me of looking for the good in the bad and the bad in the good... it's all there for me...
reminds me too of that story of Irrelevance by Anthony de Mello... (I will post it on my Ordinary Life post today...thanks for the inspiration) I will visit this site indeed,
I'm truly sorry I cannot make the party in Sydney now...
...it would be so cool to meet both of you...
Lilla...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I love that, it's a lovely story. It gets the point across without being too preachy. Subtle.
KylieW
Comment by WeR1Family
Stories of Wisdom
Lone - My Life and Thoughts
Comment by Damo
Comment by Timothy Powell
my second my first blog
poetryatrics