So many people today search for meaning in the world. Sadly, too many feel betrayed by faith and really question the validity of age old beliefs. In the hopes of finding spirituality or holiness, many turn to mysticism. People become lost in the lofty ideas and practice of the mystical teachings without realizing that everyday life is filled with the light of holiness and meaning. There are times when people open themselves to their souls, to the Holy One, blessed be He and reveal the holiness that surrounds us.
A young woman named Susan was trying to rediscover her faith through intensive study of the Holy books and mysticism. After one class, she listened to a simple story about the importance of greeting people. The discussion centered around the teaching, “Be first to greet everyone, whatever their faith.” (Pirkei Avos 4:15) Who would have thought that greeting another person was such a powerful act of faith that the ancient sages taught, “To welcome another person is to welcome the Shechinah (Divine Presence).” (Mekilta Shemos 18:12) After some thought, Susan shared something that had happened to her earlier that day.
Susan, who is a lawyer, sees that people have very little interaction with one another. They seem to always be preoccupied with their own lives. She decided she did not want to live that way and tried to be open and friendly whenever possible, as part of her spiritual practice. Every day on the way to her office, she would pass a fruit stand, and although she never bought any fruit, she always made it a point to say hello to the fruit seller.
While she on her way to her office earlier that day, she was thinking about her spiritual life and became discouraged, thinking that she had accomplished very little. As she approached the fruit stand, she realized she had forgotten her lunch and decided to buy something.
She selected an orange and then took out her wallet to pay, but the seller said, “Oh, no! I’m not going to take money from you. Every day you say hello to me, and I feel so good, it makes my day. Please take this fruit as a gift.”
Susan was so moved by the man’s gesture but also by the Divine intervention: that the moment when she had felt discouraged about her spiritual life—and thinking she was not making any progress at all — the Holy One, blessed be He had given her a clear sign: “Don’t be discouraged, Susan! You are accomplishing something for yourself and for others!”
She explained that she realized from this incident that it takes very little to make a difference in the world by lifting someone’s else’s spirits— a simple greeting can be so important.
About a week later, Susan was shocked when she went to the fruit stand to buy some fruit for her lunch, but changed her mind at the last minute. But as she walked by, the fruit seller, he had an orange already in a bag and gave it to her with a big smile. She was so touched that she began to cry because that simple gesture touched her so deeply.
Susan was so profoundly touched, that in a world so filled with mistrust and fear, a simple greeting could make a deep impression. She realized that belief and faith is not found in mysticism, but in the everyday living and interactions. A greeting can create moments of giving and taking, of being sincere and open to the world are the very meaning of life.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
