Issue nº 64

Rabbi Feldman and faith that moves mountains  |  Generosity and reward
Filling the other's cup

     Isaac Asimov, one of the best science-fiction writers of the 20th century, is the author of the following delightful story:
     Rabbi Feldman was having a lot of problems with his congregation; most of them found him arrogant, intolerant, and too strict about normal human faults. In despair, the members of the congregation made an appeal to the president of the Jewish Association in the state, and he came to town to settle the matter.
     After listening to all the members of the congregation, he went to have a talk with Feldman:
     - Rabbi, things can't go on like this. Let's call a meeting and solve all these disputes.
     Feldman agreed. Three days later, a meeting was called with the presence of the president and another ten scholars in Judaism. They all sat down around a beautiful mahogany table and began to discuss each of the topics in question. As the meeting proceeded, it became clearer and clearer that Rabbi Feldman stood all alone.
     After four hours of discussion, the president said:
     - I think that does it; let's vote and the majority will decide on the best way to proceed from there.
     Each of them was given a piece of paper to jot down his vote, and after these were counted the president addressed them all again:
     - It's eleven votes against you, Rabbi. So we shall definitely have to review certain positions that have been taken.
     Feldman stood up, displaying his injured pride, raised his arms aloft and said in a deep voice:
     - So you think that just because of a simple majority vote I am wrong and the rest of you are right? No, gentlemen, I can't accept this!
     "I beg the Lord of Israel to show his force and send a sign right now so that you all know that my behavior is absolutely correct!"
     At this very instant was heard a deafening crash of thunder. A bolt of lightning struck the room, splitting the beautiful mahogany table right down the middle; everyone was thrown to the ground by the force of the explosion.
     Shouts were heard all around and the place was quickly covered in smoke; when the dust began to settle, they noticed that Rabbi Feldman remained untouched, standing erect with a sarcastic smile on his lips.
     With considerable difficulty the president stood up, straightened his spectacles hanging from one ear, adjusted his ruffled hair, dusted off his clothes and slowly said:
     - All right: eleven votes against one. But we still have the majority, and the rules will be changed.