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CONTENTS
1. Wisdom Story
2. Comments
3. Suggested Reflection
Wisdom Story
Once there was a secularist who was very good friends with the city's Rabbi. Even though the secularist differed in opinion from his traditionally inclined friend, he still visited him on a weekly basis.
On one visit the secularist began to complain about the unchanging ways of the Traditional Jewry. He spoke, "And why can't they update the tune to which the Torah is chanted?" Continuing, he asked, "How many years can you continue with the same old tune? Especially today when so many new and beautiful musical tunes and melodies are being brought into the world by inventive, creative composers. Answer me that!" he demanded of his friend.
"I'll think on it. Maybe you have a point. Perhaps next week I'll be able to give an answer. But for now could you do me a big favor? I'm short of money. If you would loan me 50 rubles, I'll pay you back next week."
"Of course," said the secularist, honored that the Rabbi would ask him for a loan. He reached into his purse, "Here, take this, my friend!" He handed over the money.
The Rabbi thanked him warmly. Then, he escorted him to the door and said, "Shalom! My friend!"
The next week the secularist came at his usual tea time. He sat with the Rabbi, as they chatted in the parlor. As time pressed on, the secularist felt uncomfortable. See, the Rabbi had not offered to return him the loaned money. Finally, as the secularist began leaving, he turned to his friend. He spoke, "Pardon me for bringing this up. But did you not promise to return the 50 rubles that you borrowed last week?"
"I borrowed 50 rubles from you?" the Rabbi replied.
"Yes, don't you remember? Last week when I was here."
"I borrowed 50 rubles from you?" responded the Rabbi with anger.
"But, but you promised to return the money to me today. And now you are denying you even borrowed it!" the secularist cried out at his friend's breach of faith.
"I borrowed 50 rubles from you?" the Rabbi raised his voice in dismay.
"Yes! How can you deny the good deed I did, loaning you the money. Don't you remember we were chatting about the same old tune that has been used for the Torah reading for so many years? You said perhaps you would give me an answer this week . Then, you asked to borrow 50 rubles. And now you deny it!"
"Who me?" The Rabbi asked, with a grin. "I'm not denying anything, I said 'I borrowed 50 rubles from you.' I just changed the tune of my statement!"
Comments
The story above shows how conservative Jews link the melody, or ta'am, of Torah readings to the meaning of the Torah.
Unity of meaning and rite, as with religious rituals of all high religions, grows up in a faith community. Unity of inward meaning and outer rite offers a transforming, spiritual potency in personal and communal worship. The tradition provides spiritual connection to past generations and future generations.
While our faith must remain open to changes, there is a danger in underestimating the value and power of its traditions handed down from the distant past. By connecting to ancient rites, even when we do not know fully their origin or meaning, we can enter by them a spiritual dimension that is restorative to the soul and takes us out of our separate selves into the Communion of Saints, past, present, and future.
Suggested Reflection
Do you consider ancient traditions essential, or not, as a stabilizing factor for persons today in a rapidly changing society and world?
What ancient religious rites and customs enrich your devotion to Jesus Christ?
What are some of the hymns from your childhood that still speak powerfully to you?
Is there one particular ancient tradition that seems to have the most spiritual impact on your present life? What is it? Why do you think this is such a powerful tradition for you?
See next page for Purpose of OneLife and reference to a couple of the writer's written works.
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