Three Parables from Rabbi Caytak
Three parables spoken aloud during Shabbat Evening Services. Since no writing can happen on Shabbat these were transcribed at a later date from memory.
A Parable from Rabbi Caytak
A Rabbi took his congregation to hunt.
They encountered a bear. Each member fired on the bear and it fell dead.
They inspected the bear to determine who had actually killed it and thus be the rightful owner of the pelt.
The congregation concluded that the Rabbi had killed the bear as only he had the skill to shoot straight through one ear and out of the other.
Another Parable from Rabbi Caytak
Chaim was known as a worrier.
He would worry about this and he would worry about that.
When asked how he was feeling he would respond with something along the lines of ‘oy, money...’ or ‘oy, relationships...’ or ‘oy, work...’
His energy felt uncomfortable for anyone else around.
One day Chaim arrived at service with a completely different demeanor. He was enthusiastic and optimistic and warm.
The Rabbi positively noted the change and asked ‘Chaim. What have you done in your life?’
Chaim replied ‘Rabbi. I hired a professional worrier. I pay him ₪5,000.00 a month and he does all my worrying for me. I am now free to enjoy my life.’
The Rabbi, concerned, asked ‘Chaim. How are you going to afford ₪5,000.00 a month?’
Chaim responded ‘Rabbi. That is not for me to worry about.’
A third Parable from Rabbi Caytak
The Rich Man’s Daughter mocked a twisted and deformed Rabbi in the street for his looks and his gait.
He responded. ‘When your Father serves wine at parties, do they come from clay or metal urns?’
She thought. ‘It would be so wondrous to serve wine from copper or brass.’
She had all her servants transport the wine from clay into metal urns.
At the next party the guests were awed by the beauty of the metal. However when the wine was served the guests found it unpalatable. Her Father was ashamed and embarrassed. The party was ruined.
She found the Rabbi in the street and cursed him.
The Rabbi smiled and said ‘Dear Child. I am showing you that great things may come humbly adorned.’
Rabbi Moishe and Shayna Caytak serve the Ottawa Jewish Community at Chabad of Wellington West.
