From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

For an intrepid, novice, independent Blogger with a lot more neediness for attention than talent for writing word-processing this post is especially daunting. I mean (for me) 50+ comments yesterday will be a very tough act to follow. So to ease myself back into creativity I turn to the source of yesterdays (for me) "smash hit." To wit; the actual sublime d'var Torah that yesterdays snarky, ridiculous send up was basically just a meme of.

Here's the source in Hebrew; The translation is the combination of some comment mining from JS (sorry I know how to link a comment in haloscan but not in blogger) as well as some editing of mine: The Rebbe Reb Zisheh of Hanipoli learned 7 lessons in serving G-d from burglars and thieves:

1) He works at night

2) If he's unsuccessful the first night, he tries again another night

3) Thieves love all thieves ("there is honor among thieves" code)

4) He risks his life for even small things-things of nominal value

5) Even so he doesn't esteem what he stole very highly. He'll fence his stolen items for way under there market value

6) He is beaten and jailed for his troubles and nonetheless doesn't waiver

7) His way of life is beautiful in his own eyes and he would never change it

Here's what I think the lessons in Avodas HaShem are:

1. Serving G-d should be done discreetly without an audience

2. If at first you don't succeed try again...but devise a different approach or strategy

3. Judaism is a team sport. We are all on the same team. Your success depends on that of your fellows. Try to diminish the competitive element while emphasizing the cooperative.

4. Be Moser Nefesh = slf-sacrificing even for "minor Miztvos" even for minhagim

5.
A. A reiteration of 1. get rid of the evidence so that the authorities will be thrown off your tail i.e. seek no human honor for your Avodas haShem after the fact
B. In terms of your own pride, forget that you ever did the Mitzvah, when you" fence" i.e. get rid of what you achieved through your Avodas haShem you're metaphysically erasing it from your own mental resume'. Don't dislocate your shoulder patting your own back for the Mitzvah you've done or theTorah you've learned.

6. Even if you suffer verbal abuse from anti-Semites or from freethinking Jews, even if you're branded a smelly, reactionary, parasitical, magical-thinking, cave-dwelling primitive...stick to your guns.

7. Self-explanatory but I'll explain anyway. despite living by numbers 4 and 6 don't succumb to a martyrdom complex and figure that HaShem owes you "big time" for all you've done for Him. OTC it's a labor of love and a privilege to serve.

Like I said...from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Qedusha-Havdala...have you had yours today???