The Human Side of the Story

For the week ending 9 June 2012 / 18 Sivan 5772

Half-hearted Tip, Whole-hearted Confession

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
Become a Supporter Library Library

During a recent condolence visit to a neighbor whose mother passed away at the age of 95, one of her sons told a touching story about her piety.

One of her relatives observed the earnest manner in which she would always say the viduy confession of sins. On one occasion he asked her what sin could such a righteous woman be guilty of.

Her reply took her back more than seventy years to Frankfurt, Germany, where her mother ran a little restaurant in their home. As a waitress in this very homey eatery, it was customary for her to receive tips from the customers whom she served. "I suspect," she concluded, "that there was one client who gave me a trip but failed to do so wholeheartedly and it is for accepting such a tip that I am doing penitence."

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