Here is another story that proves that behind every great man is
even a greater woman.
Rabbi Meir, the second century Talmudic scholar, had a serious
problem. The thugs in the neighborhood were making his life miserable.
Desperate for a way to escape their harassment, Rabbi Meir decided that drastic
measures were called for. He decided to pray that the ruffians would die.
But Rabbi Meir’s wife, Bruria, wasn’t pleased with this solution.
Bruria quoted to her husband a verse in our psalm 104:35 “Let sin be uprooted from the earth, and the
wicked will be no more.”
It doesn’t say “Let the sinners be uprooted,” Bruria
pointed out. It says “Let the sins be uprooted.” You
shouldn’t pray that these thugs will die; you should pray that they should
repent! And then, automatically, “the wicked will be no more.”
Rabbi Meir followed his wife’s advice. Sure enough, the
neighborhood hooligans changed their ways, due to the scholar’s prayers.
Shouldn’t we follow Brurua’s advice too! Let us pray this
Thanksgiving that all of the dwellers of our beloved country live up to tis
highest ideals and aspirations as George Washington wrote to the members of the
Turo Synagogue in Rhode Island:
“everyone
shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to
make him afraid.” For happily the Government of the United
States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires
only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good
citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”
If we can realize
his words in our lifetime, then every day will be a thanks giving day
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