A Jew, A Jew!

"Take me as I am ... drawn together bound by destiny ... now and forever" (C)



It's what's in your head,
not what's on it

Tolerance.
It is one of the most fundamental facets of Judaism, and the lack of it is the source of our continued exile.
Unfortunately, people tend to focus on people's exterior, but fail to realize the inner beauty and tremendous value of each and every Jew.

It was a well-known fact that the saintly Satmar Rov, tz"l, was very close to and fond of Elimelech "Mike" Tress, tz"l. One day, a follwer of the Rebbe approached him and questioned, "How can the Rebbe be so close to Mr. Tress if he doesn't have a beard?"
The Rebbe answered warmly, yet firmly, "After 120 years, when Mr. Tress comes before Hashem in Heaven, they will call before him, 'A Jew, a Jew! But where's the beard?' Yet, when it comes to your time, they will call out, 'A beard, a beard! But where's the Jew?'"

There is more to a Jew than a beard - or color and size of his yarmulka, style of clothing, or Hebrew pronounciation. Each one of us share commonalities - our soul and Jewish identity. Rather than shun another Jew because of his religious practices or customs, we must embrace him simply because he is our brother. Let us accept one another, since after all, when we "get up there," don't we all want to be accepted, as well?

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I love Jews! I love every single one of them!"