But the rabbi did not respond, he only turned his head and went on thinking and pondering on things that only rabbis ponder on, perhaps the Sabbath message or something of the sort.
So, Mendel and Mottel set off down the short route to Kosherville. In almost no time at all, they could see the outline of the town ahead of them. Now there was a river that separated the wooded area from Kosherville. The river was shallow and there was an old bridge that crossed over the river to the town.
Now for the past few days, it had rained heavily and the river had swelled and now it was flowing quite swiftly. Besides that, when Mendel and Mottel arrived at the old bridge, they discovered to their dismay that it had collapsed into the river.
Both just stood there staring sadly at the bridge and the river. They thought and thought, and pondered upon their situation. They could not ford the river nor swim across least the current sweep them downstream into oblivion. Besides, the water would be very cold, too cold for comfort sake.
Now they realized that what the rabbi had said made sense. They would now have to return the way they came which now would be time wasted, then go the longer route which would now be even longer. Had they trusted the rabbi’s judgment and advise, they might be almost arriving at Kosherville by now. No matter, this would be a lesson learned.
So, Mendel and Mottel both started back from the short route which now proved to be the longer route. When they came to the fork in the road, they noticed that the rabbi was still sitting there on the tree stump, just thinking and pondering on things that rabbis ponder over and think about, perhaps the Sabbath message.
“Let’s walk behind him” whispered Mendel.
“Good idea,” replied Mottel, “Maybe he won’t see us.”
“Nor hear us,” added Mendel, who always wanted the last words.
So, Mendel and Mottel, upon nearing to where the rabbi was seated walked ever so quietly a little distance from the tree stump. As they went behind the aged Torah teacher, Mottel stepped on a dry tree branch which went;
“crunch” “snap”
“Did I not tell you both that the short route would result in the longer route?” asked the rabbi would not even bother turning around.
“Yes indeed,” sighed Mendel, “you were right after all.”
“This is proving to be longer than we expected,” added Mottel.
“Then you had better hurry and start walking faster least you reach Kosherville with the Sabbath upon you.” advised the old Torah teacher.
So, Mendel and Mottel continued their journey to Kosherville, half walking, half running down the road which was now the longer route. The time passed and they grew tired, yet they kept the pace and they finally saw the outline of Kosherville and heard the flowing of the river.
When they got to the river’s edge, they saw another bridge, but this bridge was strong, new, and well built. The two friends entered Kosherville, they quickly found the bakery, purchased the Challah loaves and then headed home as fast as their feet could carry them.
As they went by the old tree stump, they noticed that the old rabbi was no longer there for he had already returned to his home to greet the Sabbath with his family. Mendel and Mottel finally reached their own homes just as the sun was setting. They got their wives up from their beds to light the Sabbath candles. Then Mendel and Mottel blessed the bread and the wine and served the delicious chicken stew to their beloved wives.
“Shabbat Shalom my beloved,” said Mendel and Mottel to their wives.
“Shalom Shabbat,” replied their wives, “I bless HaShem that he has given me such a husband as you.”
Then both families sat down for a wonderful and tasty Sabbath dinner.
You are probably thinking where all this is leading to? Well, this much I can tell you. When it comes to life, there are always long paths to follow and short paths to follow. Some take the short paths, others take the long paths. At times, taking the short path is not such a good choice. Taking the short path is the lazy man’s path. When it comes to teaching Torah, God’s Word requires study and understanding, and with understanding comes wisdom to put into practice what one has learned.
This requires taking the longer path, which is the “Road to Study”. If one tries to understand and teach God’s Word without study, without preparing oneself, then how will a person respond to those who have questions? Does not the Word of God tell to be “prepared in season and out of season?” (2 Tim 4:2). If one takes the short route, without study, without sitting under Bible and Torah scholars, how will one know how to respond to those with questions?
I imagine that the one who takes the short route will be embarrassed and will not know how to answer. Then, the shorter route walker will have to go back and take the longer route of study. It is well worth the while to sit under those who have expounded on God’s Word. What do they have to say?
It is like the student who came to the Sage Hillel and asked him about a certain portion of scripture. He told him to find out what the Sage Shammai had to say. Afterward, to compare the teaching of both sages and come to a conclusion. Always let the Holy Spirit be the guide. To know God’s Word is a life of study, it is certainly not a shortcut.
So, “Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Tim 2:15)
By Ben Avraham
“Gut Shabbos” Good Sabbath in Yiddish
“Bekishe” A long, black suit-coat
So, Mendel and Mottel set off down the short route to Kosherville. In almost no time at all, they could see the outline of the town ahead of them. Now there was a river that separated the wooded area from Kosherville. The river was shallow and there was an old bridge that crossed over the river to the town.
Now for the past few days, it had rained heavily and the river had swelled and now it was flowing quite swiftly. Besides that, when Mendel and Mottel arrived at the old bridge, they discovered to their dismay that it had collapsed into the river.
Both just stood there staring sadly at the bridge and the river. They thought and thought, and pondered upon their situation. They could not ford the river nor swim across least the current sweep them downstream into oblivion. Besides, the water would be very cold, too cold for comfort sake.
Now they realized that what the rabbi had said made sense. They would now have to return the way they came which now would be time wasted, then go the longer route which would now be even longer. Had they trusted the rabbi’s judgment and advise, they might be almost arriving at Kosherville by now. No matter, this would be a lesson learned.
So, Mendel and Mottel both started back from the short route which now proved to be the longer route. When they came to the fork in the road, they noticed that the rabbi was still sitting there on the tree stump, just thinking and pondering on things that rabbis ponder over and think about, perhaps the Sabbath message.
“Let’s walk behind him” whispered Mendel.
“Good idea,” replied Mottel, “Maybe he won’t see us.”
“Nor hear us,” added Mendel, who always wanted the last words.
So, Mendel and Mottel, upon nearing to where the rabbi was seated walked ever so quietly a little distance from the tree stump. As they went behind the aged Torah teacher, Mottel stepped on a dry tree branch which went;
“crunch” “snap”
“Did I not tell you both that the short route would result in the longer route?” asked the rabbi would not even bother turning around.
“Yes indeed,” sighed Mendel, “you were right after all.”
“This is proving to be longer than we expected,” added Mottel.
“Then you had better hurry and start walking faster least you reach Kosherville with the Sabbath upon you.” advised the old Torah teacher.
So, Mendel and Mottel continued their journey to Kosherville, half walking, half running down the road which was now the longer route. The time passed and they grew tired, yet they kept the pace and they finally saw the outline of Kosherville and heard the flowing of the river.
When they got to the river’s edge, they saw another bridge, but this bridge was strong, new, and well built. The two friends entered Kosherville, they quickly found the bakery, purchased the Challah loaves and then headed home as fast as their feet could carry them.
As they went by the old tree stump, they noticed that the old rabbi was no longer there for he had already returned to his home to greet the Sabbath with his family. Mendel and Mottel finally reached their own homes just as the sun was setting. They got their wives up from their beds to light the Sabbath candles. Then Mendel and Mottel blessed the bread and the wine and served the delicious chicken stew to their beloved wives.
“Shabbat Shalom my beloved,” said Mendel and Mottel to their wives.
“Shalom Shabbat,” replied their wives, “I bless HaShem that he has given me such a husband as you.”
Then both families sat down for a wonderful and tasty Sabbath dinner.
You are probably thinking where all this is leading to? Well, this much I can tell you. When it comes to life, there are always long paths to follow and short paths to follow. Some take the short paths, others take the long paths. At times, taking the short path is not such a good choice. Taking the short path is the lazy man’s path. When it comes to teaching Torah, God’s Word requires study and understanding, and with understanding comes wisdom to put into practice what one has learned.
This requires taking the longer path, which is the “Road to Study”. If one tries to understand and teach God’s Word without study, without preparing oneself, then how will a person respond to those who have questions? Does not the Word of God tell to be “prepared in season and out of season?” (2 Tim 4:2). If one takes the short route, without study, without sitting under Bible and Torah scholars, how will one know how to respond to those with questions?
I imagine that the one who takes the short route will be embarrassed and will not know how to answer. Then, the shorter route walker will have to go back and take the longer route of study. It is well worth the while to sit under those who have expounded on God’s Word. What do they have to say?
It is like the student who came to the Sage Hillel and asked him about a certain portion of scripture. He told him to find out what the Sage Shammai had to say. Afterward, to compare the teaching of both sages and come to a conclusion. Always let the Holy Spirit be the guide. To know God’s Word is a life of study, it is certainly not a shortcut.
So, “Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Tim 2:15)
By Ben Avraham
“Gut Shabbos” Good Sabbath in Yiddish
“Bekishe” A long, black suit-coat