Blessing

Stories transmitted to family and friends convey the ethos of the festival.

In my home around Sukkoth, a story was told of Rabbi Mordecai of Neschiz to whom the citizens of his small village entrusted a sum of money, so that on the week before Sukkoth he might travel to the city and purchase on behalf of the congregation a fine citron (ethrog). In that way the festival ritual on Sukkoth could be properly performed by all the villagers.

Rabbi Mordecai left for his mission and halfway there came across a wagoner crying because his horse had died. Now he had no means of support. The rabbi gave him the bag of his villagers’ money and turned toward home.

When he returned, the villagers asked to see the ethrog, and the rabbi explained what had happened. “What are we to do then on the festival of Sukkoth?” the villagers asked of him. He replied, “Do not worry. While the whole world recites a blessing over the citron, we will recite it over a dead horse.”

There is theology in that tale. More than knowing the law by heart is knowing the heart of the law.

From For Those Who Can’t Believe, Rabbi Harold Schulweis

Posted by Marion