Beating the Bedtime Blues by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs

The story is told of Reb Zusha, the great Hasidic Master, who lay crying on his deathbed.  His students asked him, “Rebbe, why are you so sad?  Why do you cry?  After all the mitzvahs and good deeds you have done, you will surely get a great reward in heaven!”

“I’m afraid!” said Reb Zusha.  “Because when I get to heaven, I know Gods’ not going to ask me, ‘Why weren’t you more like Moses?’ or ‘Why weren’t you more like King David?’  But I’m afraid that God will ask, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you more like Zusha?’ And then what will I say?!”

This was a story we discussed in our Jewish Parenting class; and at first the relevance to parenting seemed rather thin on the ground.  But a good rabbi is always ready to segue, and fortunately we had one in Sally Finestone of Congregation Or Atid.

 

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