One Erev Shabbat

A tzaddik, one of the truly righteous, desired to become closer to god.  So he sent himself into galut, exile, from his family and home.  He deliberately chose a life of wandering and meager living.  The tzaddik reasoned that if understood the real poverty and suffering of the unfortunates he would draw closer to the Almighty.

One erev Shabbat, the tzaddik in rags came to a small town.  Looking around he found the home of one wealthy Jew.  The tzaddik knocked.  When the door opened the rich man gazed in disdain at the pauper.  Undaunted, the tzaddik asked to spend the holy Shabbos there.  The wealthy man curtly told him there was no room before closing the door.

Many years passed and the tzaddik had given up his wanderings and was now a famous rabbi and preacher.  People flocked to see him, hear his words, touch his cloak.  It so happened that on one Shabbat the tzaddik again found himself in the same town as years before.  This time he arrived in a magnificent carried and the town was abuzz with his arrival.

That wealthy Jew- the same who had spurned him long ago- hurried to greet the famous rabbi.  Begging him to join him for the Shabbos, the tzaddik paused before saying, “I will give you an answer in one hour.”

As soon as the rich man left the rabbi turned to one of his students and said, “Brush the horses, hitch them to the carriage and bring it to the home of the wealthy man.”

As soon as the rich man saw the great carriage coming toward his home drawn by the fine horses, he was overjoyed.  The tzaddik was coming!  He was staying at his home!

When he rushed out to greet the holy rabbi he found the carriage was empty.  How could this be?  Where was the holy tzaddik? The man turned and ran to the center of town where he met the tzaddik earlier and breathlessly asked, “Rabbi, what happened?  Why did you send an empty carriage to my home?  Why did you not come?”

The rabbi answered, “Long ago I came to your home and asked for hospitality for Shabbos.  You turned me away.  This time when I came you embraced me.  I asked, “What has changed since then?”  I realized that the difference is my entourage.  I came in this time riding in a fine carriage with great horses.  Apparently, that is what you really wanted which is why I sent it.”

We have just finished a long process of conversations about the synagogue.  We discovered many wonderful things about Beth Shalom and other things which need attention.  One of the most noticeable items was that universally everyone wants a congregation that supports, welcomes and embraces one another.

Isn’t this what our faith stands for?  Every person is a deliverer in disguise, about to be unveiled.  Every Jew is a messenger with words to be shared.  It can only be done if we welcome on another with a full heart.  No one is special. Everyone is special.  I want to encourage you in joining me in the making of a community.  Come home.  Extend your hand.  Throw out a good word, a smile.