The Human Side of the Story

For the week ending 5 September 2009 / 15 Elul 5769

An Offer You Can Refuse

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
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Avi is a Jerusalem cab driver who has a regular passenger whom he refers to as his "special mitzvah". Almost every day he transports a totally blind youngster from his home in Tel Aviv to a special school for the sightless in Jerusalem.

A very special relationship has developed between the youngster and the cabbie who treats him like his own child.

One day Avi had a rich tourist for a passenger who was so impressed with the kindness shown by the cabbie that he made him an offer he was sure could not be refused.

"I have $10,000 here in my pocket," he said, "which I am prepared to give you if you sell me the merit of your mitzvah in dealing with this child."

To his surprise Avi, a non-observant Jew with a Jewish heart, informed him that for even a million dollars he would not give up the merit of this mitzvah, which he saw as his passport to Gan Eden.

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