To
My Dear Students,
Judging
why people do what they do is a difficult task.
Often there is a different motivation than what
appears on the surface.
Rabbi
Yaakov Asher Sinclair writes that there are people
who look like they are giving when, in fact, they
are really taking. And there are people
who look like they are taking when, in truth,
they are really giving.
When
people contribute tzedaka, for example, they may
do so out of less than noble motives: for
recognition, for a tax deduction, or to out-do
someone else and appear superior in status.
Here
is a story of a person who looked like he was
taking but who, in reality, was giving.
A
Jewish man found himself in a largely non-Jewish
town on Friday afternoon. His business
had delayed him beyond his expectations and there
was now no way he could get home for Shabbat.
He had heard that there was just one Jewish family
in town where he could spend Shabbat, and as the
sun was starting to set he made his way there.
The
owner of the house opened the door to him and
showed him into the living room. "May
I stay here for Shabbat?" asked the
stranded visitor. "If you like,"
replied the host. "The price is $200."
"200!" exclaimed the stranger.
"That is more than a first-class hotel!"
"Suit yourself," replied the host.
Realizing that he had no option, the salesman
reluctantly agreed. In the short time left
before Shabbat, the host showed the salesman his
room, the kitchen, and the other facilities for
his Shabbat stay.
As
soon as the host left the room, the salesman sat
down and thought to himself. "Well,
if this is going to cost me $200, I am going to
get my money's worth." During the entire
Shabbat he availed himself tirelessly and completely
of the house's considerable facilties. He
helped himself to the delicious food in the refrigerator.
He had a long luxurious bath before and after
Shabbat. He really made himself "at
home."
When
he was about to leave, he put two $100 bills down
on the table in front of his host. "What
is this?" inquired the host. "That
is the money I owe you," replied the stranger.
"You don't owe me anything. Do you
really think I would take money from a fellow
Jew for the mitzvah of hospitality?"
"But you told me that Shabbat here costs
$200." "I only told you that to
be sure that you would make yourself at home."
We
are all strangers in this world. It is good
to make each other feel "at home" through
our generosity of spirit and substance!
Shabbat
Shalom,
Your
Rabbi
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