Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mhuxi.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!mhuxi!dsg From: dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Yet Another Hassidic Tale Message-ID: <174@mhuxi.UUCP> Date: Mon, 18-Jun-84 15:20:49 EDT Article-I.D.: mhuxi.174 Posted: Mon Jun 18 15:20:49 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 22-Jun-84 08:49:45 EDT Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill Lines: 36 [] Rabbi Raditz of Poland was a very short rabbi with a long beard, who was said to have inspired many pogroms with his sense of humor. One of his disciples asked, "Who did G-d like better - Moses or Abraham?" "Abraham," the Zaddik said. "But Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land," said the disciple. "All right, so Moses," the Zaddik answered. "I understand, Rabbi. It was a stupid question." "Not only that, but your stupid, your wife's a meeskeit, and if you don't get off my foot you're excommunicated." _____________________________________________________________________ Here the Rabbi is asked to make a value judgement between Moses and Abraham. This is not an easy matter, particularly for a man who has never read the Bible and has been faking it. And what is meant by the hopelessly relative term "better"? What is "better" to the Rabbi is not necessarily "better" to his disciple. For instance, the Rabbi likes to sleep on his stomach. The disciple also likes to sleep on the Rabbi's stomach. The problem here is obvious. It should also be noted that to step on a rabbi's foot ( as described in the tale ) is a sin, according to the Torah, comparable to the fondling of matzos with any intent other than eating them. from "Getting Even" by Woody Allen ( Allen Koenigsberg of Midwood High ) ____________________________________________________________________ I have four more Hassidic Tales written by the "Woodman". If there are no objections, I'll post them - one per week. Shalom, David Seth Green Bell Labs 201-564-4468 mhuxi!dsg