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The Short Vort- “The Tale of Two Checks” (1/22/12)
The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is Monday the 28th of Teves 5772 and January 23, 2012
Tale of Two Checks
“Rabbi, do you know who these checks are from?”
The secretary often asks me to decipher illegible signatures.
I looked at them and replied, “Can’t say I do, however, let’s look at the return address on the envelope.”
Strangely enough the checks were from Miriam Haberman. Miriam lived across the street from the shul and was (unfortunately) was one of the ‘older singles’ who populate all of our neighborhoods in regretfully larger numbers than we would like. Miriam was a quiet woman with modest financial means and therefore when I saw the two checks I was intrigued.
In the memo line of one of the checks it said ‘membership’. On the second check was written ‘”Rabbi’s Fund”; both checks were for eighteen dollars.
I could not understand the reason for Miriam suddenly sending the Shul these two checks.
I called Miriam and after inquiring how she was doing, I asked, “Miriam, what’s with the two checks?” The phone line fell silent and after what seemed like an eternity to me, Miriam spoke, however, this time her voice was quieter and apologetic. “I know rabbi, that membership is more than $18, however, that is all I can afford right now. And the other check is for your ‘fund’.”
“Miriam, I understand what the checks are for; however, I was asking ‘why’ did you send the checks just now?”
At the point, Miriam’s voice became stronger as she said,
“Rabbi, after what you did for me this week I realized this was the Shul I wanted to join and I wanted to do something tangible to express my gratitude specifically to you.”
I must admit that I had no idea whatsoever what I had done for Miriam; indeed, I could not even recall seeing Miriam this past week- let alone speaking to her!
This was becoming a tough one. If I tell her I cannot recall what I had done, that is certainly not going to make me her favorite rabbi. However, on the other hand I certainly cannot acknowledge that which I do not know if I even did!
Thank Hashem; Miriam was my salvation as she continued to speak.
“Rabbi, I cannot thank you enough.
This past Wednesday was quickly becoming ‘one of those days’.
I awoke late- and then my mother called. I know she means well, however, I cannot bear it when she asks if there is ‘anything doing’ in my social life.
Then the coffee machine broke and I am just ‘aus-mensch’ (not myself) when I don’t have my coffee.
And then I go out to leave for work and I see there is a ticket on my windshield.
That was it!
I turned to go back into my apartment and back to bed.
However, as I turned around I noticed you Rabbi as you were walking home from Shul.
Although we were across the street you suddenly waved to me and flashed me a smile.
I said to myself, “Wow, the Rabbi just waived and smiled to me. Maybe the day won’t be so bad after all.”
I went back to my car; I saw that the ‘ticket’ was just an advertisement to a Chinese take-out place.
I left for work and Thank Hashem there was minimal traffic so I was not even late.
When I returned home I said: “This is the Shul I want to be part of and that is why I wrote you the two checks!”
It took a huge amount of mental recall on my part to remember the incident; however, to Miriam it had changed her entire day.
“Rabbi, are you there? Rabbi why are you quiet?”
I just replied, “Miriam, all is fine, all is fine.”