Hope you enjoy it Vicky Fiszman 956-342-4852
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In
a one-synagogue town, brothers Louie and Bernard embarrassed the Jewish
community. Their business practices were ruthless, and socially speaking they
were downright wicked.
Worst
of all, they whitewashed their sins with large contributions to the needy
temple. Eventually the town's Jews were turned off by the hypocrisy, and
membership dwindled.
Then
the old rabbi died and a sharp, energetic rabbi took his place. He invigorated
the prayer services with upbeat melodies, challenged his congregants to think
deeply, and solicited their creativity for further initiatives.
He
also spoke truth to power, telling Louie and Bernard they would not be welcome
at services until they changed their ways. The brothers disappeared, and
membership swelled.
A
new building was soon needed, but no one else in the town had much money. The
campaign would take years.
Then
Louie died. Bernard approached the new rabbi.
"Rabbi,
I'll pay for the new building - all of it - if you'll just speak at the
funeral and say Louie was a mensch."
The
rabbi thought about it for a while, and took the check.
The
funeral was huge. Everyone showed up to see if the rabbi would really lie in
order to fund the building.They all leaned forward as the rabbi grimly took
the pulpit.
"My
friends, we're here today to bury a man who lived in this community for 70
years. What shall we say about him? Was he a kind man? Was he a good man? In
truth, he cheated in business, he cheated on his taxes, he cheated on his
wife, and he cheated at cards. But compared to his brother, he was a mensch!"
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