A first step of Tzedaka I appreciate the above article’s discussion of how going through the first step is difficult, but once we go through it, we gain the self-confidence to continue. This brings to mind one of my favorite tales of Tzaddikim.
A Rabbi (don’t yet recall the name) was collecting Tzedaka from a town. In this town lived an infamous “miser” who would give no more than a penny when approached for money. The Rabbi though wanted to meet him, despite the advice not to.
And so the Rabbi talks to the miser and explains the benefits of giving Tzedaka (for examples, see above article:). The miser listens, and then proceeds to open a box. This box contains only one penny, which the miser then hands to the Rabbi. The Rabbi – with sincerity – smiles, takes the penny as he thanks the miser, and blesses him. The miser is now slightly taken aback, as everyone else just walked away without even considering the penny. On account of this stirring of his emotion (he is used to just experiencing apathy based on others’ rejection of the penny) feels moved to give another penny, for which the Rabbi again sincerely appreciates. The miser is again touched by how the Rabbi appreciates what he gives, and proceeds to give a larger sum, for which – again- the Rabbi is grateful for. This goes on until (finally) the miser ends up giving the Rabbi a considerable sum of money.
Soon everyone in the town heard of this incredible feat – that the Rabbi was able to extract such a large quantity of money from a miser whom everyone believed would give no more than a penny! How was it possible?
The miser explained that the Rabbi was the first person who truly appreciated what he was given, and because of that the miser felt free to continue to give. The Rabbi in turn, had the faith that the miser would give Tzedaka: at whatever amount that came from his heart.
2. Anonymous
10/23/2008
I appreciate the above article’s discussion of how going through the first step is difficult, but once we go through it, we gain the self-confidence to continue. This brings to mind one of my favorite tales of Tzaddikim.
A Rabbi (don’t yet recall the name) was collecting Tzedaka from a town. In this town lived an infamous “miser” who would give no more than a penny when approached for money. The Rabbi though wanted to meet him, despite the advice not to.
And so the Rabbi talks to the miser and explains the benefits of giving Tzedaka (for examples, see above article:). The miser listens, and then proceeds to open a box. This box contains only one penny, which the miser then hands to the Rabbi. The Rabbi – with sincerity – smiles, takes the penny as he thanks the miser, and blesses him. The miser is now slightly taken aback, as everyone else just walked away without even considering the penny. On account of this stirring of his emotion (he is used to just experiencing apathy based on others’ rejection of the penny) feels moved to give another penny, for which the Rabbi again sincerely appreciates. The miser is again touched by how the Rabbi appreciates what he gives, and proceeds to give a larger sum, for which – again- the Rabbi is grateful for. This goes on until (finally) the miser ends up giving the Rabbi a considerable sum of money.
Soon everyone in the town heard of this incredible feat – that the Rabbi was able to extract such a large quantity of money from a miser whom everyone believed would give no more than a penny! How was it possible?
The miser explained that the Rabbi was the first person who truly appreciated what he was given, and because of that the miser felt free to continue to give. The Rabbi in turn, had the faith that the miser would give Tzedaka: at whatever amount that came from his heart.
10/23/2008
A first step of Tzedaka I appreciate the above article’s discussion of how going through the first step is difficult, but once we go through it, we gain the self-confidence to continue. This brings to mind one of my favorite tales of Tzaddikim.
A Rabbi (don’t yet recall the name) was collecting Tzedaka from a town. In this town lived an infamous “miser” who would give no more than a penny when approached for money. The Rabbi though wanted to meet him, despite the advice not to.
And so the Rabbi talks to the miser and explains the benefits of giving Tzedaka (for examples, see above article:). The miser listens, and then proceeds to open a box. This box contains only one penny, which the miser then hands to the Rabbi. The Rabbi – with sincerity – smiles, takes the penny as he thanks the miser, and blesses him. The miser is now slightly taken aback, as everyone else just walked away without even considering the penny. On account of this stirring of his emotion (he is used to just experiencing apathy based on others’ rejection of the penny) feels moved to give another penny, for which the Rabbi again sincerely appreciates. The miser is again touched by how the Rabbi appreciates what he gives, and proceeds to give a larger sum, for which – again- the Rabbi is grateful for. This goes on until (finally) the miser ends up giving the Rabbi a considerable sum of money.
Soon everyone in the town heard of this incredible feat – that the Rabbi was able to extract such a large quantity of money from a miser whom everyone believed would give no more than a penny! How was it possible?
The miser explained that the Rabbi was the first person who truly appreciated what he was given, and because of that the miser felt free to continue to give. The Rabbi in turn, had the faith that the miser would give Tzedaka: at whatever amount that came from his heart.
10/23/2008
I appreciate the above article’s discussion of how going through the first step is difficult, but once we go through it, we gain the self-confidence to continue. This brings to mind one of my favorite tales of Tzaddikim.
A Rabbi (don’t yet recall the name) was collecting Tzedaka from a town. In this town lived an infamous “miser” who would give no more than a penny when approached for money. The Rabbi though wanted to meet him, despite the advice not to.
And so the Rabbi talks to the miser and explains the benefits of giving Tzedaka (for examples, see above article:). The miser listens, and then proceeds to open a box. This box contains only one penny, which the miser then hands to the Rabbi. The Rabbi – with sincerity – smiles, takes the penny as he thanks the miser, and blesses him. The miser is now slightly taken aback, as everyone else just walked away without even considering the penny. On account of this stirring of his emotion (he is used to just experiencing apathy based on others’ rejection of the penny) feels moved to give another penny, for which the Rabbi again sincerely appreciates. The miser is again touched by how the Rabbi appreciates what he gives, and proceeds to give a larger sum, for which – again- the Rabbi is grateful for. This goes on until (finally) the miser ends up giving the Rabbi a considerable sum of money.
Soon everyone in the town heard of this incredible feat – that the Rabbi was able to extract such a large quantity of money from a miser whom everyone believed would give no more than a penny! How was it possible?
The miser explained that the Rabbi was the first person who truly appreciated what he was given, and because of that the miser felt free to continue to give. The Rabbi in turn, had the faith that the miser would give Tzedaka: at whatever amount that came from his heart.