tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608061228567966670.post1502251943187036786..comments2023-06-17T01:07:34.844-07:00Comments on Jewess on the Move: Simchat TorahJewmanistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05868500104382636918noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1608061228567966670.post-77263421181733881832012-02-27T00:23:41.161-08:002012-02-27T00:23:41.161-08:00Hear hear!
I read something a while ago, I have f...Hear hear!<br /><br />I read something a while ago, I have forgotten where now so I can't link it to you sorry, and it had an interesting analogy for the centrality of Torah. In true Jewish tradition, it is a story. I'll try and retell it as best I can remember. <br /><br />Once upon a time, a man gave his young son a scroll. He told the little boy "Carry this with you all the time. Keep it safe. Never let it go." The little boy took the scroll home, and wrapped it in a cloth to keep it safe. When he had a son, he passed it to him, with the same instruction. That son wrapped the scroll in another, thicker cloth. He passed it to his own son, with the same instruction. This time the son carved a wooden box to house the scroll. When he gave the scroll to his own son, he gave the same instruction. This son grew up, and made a basket in which to place the box containing the scroll. He gave this basket to his own son, with the same instruction. This continued throughout the generations. Each generation decorated the basket, until it was a magnificent work of art. Then one man came to pass it on to his own son. The boy asked "Why do I have to carry around this thing in the basket? The basket is so beautiful, but the thing in the basket makes it heavy. Can't I just take the basket?" The boy's grandfather overheard. Angry, he took the box from the basket. He took the scroll out of the box, and unwrapped the two layers of cloth. He handed the scroll to the boy and said "Wrap this in the first layer of cloth. Wrap it in the second layer of cloth. Place the scroll in the box. Place the box in the basket. Now tell me, what is the basket for?" <br /><br />Judaism without Torah is like an empty basket. You can carry around an empty basket if you want, but it's a bit pointless.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09219724287824443382noreply@blogger.com