A Jew for a Quarter.....

Several years ago, a rabbi from out-of-state accepted a call to a community in Houston , Texas .

Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it'.

Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from G-d' and keep quiet'.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change'.

The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new rabbi in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you in Shul on Shabbos'.

When the rabbi stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh Rebono Shel Olam (=master of the universe), I almost sold a Yid for a quarter.'

* * *

Our lives are the only thing some people will ever read.

This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as a JEW, and will put us to the test!

Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of HaShem on your shoulders when you call yourself a 'JEW'.

* * *

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

* * *

I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder.

So, I choose to forward it to you - my friend.

If you don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you will have reminded someone he/she is being watched.

* * *

May HaShem bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!

P.S. This story was sent to me by Sarah Rochelle from Cleveland, OH. In the merit of A shidduch.

* * *

Today is Pesach Sheni (=Passover #2), when Jews who missed Passover on the 15th of Nissan, got another chance to perform the Pascal ritual.

The message is very clear, says the Rebbe: Its never too late! Everybody has the ability to correct anything they ever missed out.

G-d gives everybody another chance.

Shabbat shalom and Happy Pesach Sheni.

Delegation of Power to Sell Chometz

Below is a link to a form that will enable you to sell your chometz in time for Passover. The full explanation and instructions will be found in this link:
Please fill out this sale of chometz form no later than Tuesday evening April 7, 2009.

How to make your kitchen Kosher for Passover

Kosher Kitchen for Passover

How do you Kosher a Kitchen for Passover?

Rabbi Sholtiel Lebovic of "Go Kosher" shows how to make your kitchen Kosher for Passover in an interview with CableJew Rabbi Yosef Katzman host of " A Cable to Jewish Life".

Stovetop, Oven, Pots, Cutlery, Sink, etc.

Have your pen and paper in hand.

Dance away a Happy Purim

Get into the spirit of Purim. In this show you can just join us in dancing and singing. Plain and simple Purim joy.

With the help of some Katzman kinderlach, you will be guided into a frenzy of song and dance, which will put you into the right mood for Purim.

Note, Haman thought that since he is viceroy to the King of the superpower of the world, he will determine the fate of the Jews under his rule. Today there are those in this world, actually in the same part of the world as Persia of old, who are plotting Haman's plan once again.

G-d had his own plan, queen Esther and minister, Rabbi Mordechai, spoiled Haman's lot and plot. Today, G-d has his plan to spoil the lot and plot of the Hamans' of our time.

Joy is the key. When you are joyous you elevate yourself above all little neuances that make you nervous and testy. You are a lot more tolerant and forgiving.

The Baal Shem Tov comments; King David says in Psalms 121, "G-d is your shadow", implying that G-d reflects your mood. So when you are in a happy mood, G-d will follow in this mood towards you. You fill in the blanks.

HAPPY PURIM!

Purim Spirit

Purim Spirit from Joseph Katzman on Vimeo.
Purim happened in ancient Persia, present day Iraq and iran. Any connection between todays tensions in that part of the world and Purim of old?

If Yom Kippur (Yom Ha-Ki-Purim) is only similar to Purim, which implies that Purim is holier and greater than yom kippur, how is it that on Yom Kippur we fast and spend the entire day in temple, while on purim we eat, drink, and mostly have a very good time (and that's an understatement).

What brings us closer to g-d and the mission he entrusted us with in this world, Purim or Yom Kippur?

Listen to some answers to these and other questions, in this interview with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, on A Cable to Jewish Life program with show host, Rabbi Yosef Katzman.

If the Purim story was such a great miracle, why is G-d's name never mentioned in the entire recorded story of Purim in the Megila?

And what was so much of a miracle? How does the story of Queen Esther compare to the miracle of the splitting of the red sea?

According to Rabbi Simon Jacobson, the story of purim never ended. He claims that the Baal Shem Tov says that the Purim story replays constantly in your life as well as in mine.

So what's the message of Purim? Spiritualize the material. You have been charged with a mission, says Rabbi Simon Jacobson, in this interview with Rabbi Yosef Katzman on A Cable to Jewish Life.