Insulting A Beggar

Here an anecdote from Elie Wiesel’s book Souls On Fire. Let me define a few terms first for those of you not familiar with Jewish culture. Rebbe means Rabbi. Zusia is a famous and respected Hasidic Master/Rabbi from Europe. The “him” referred to in the first line is Rebbe Zusia.
In an inn somewhere, a wealthy guest mistakes him for a beggar and treats him accordingly. Later he learns his identity and comes to cry his remorse: “Forgive me, Rebbe, you must – for I didn’t know!”
“Why do you ask Zusia to forgive you?” Rebbe Zusia said, shaking his head and smiling. “You haven’t done anything bad to him; it is not Zusia you insulted but a poor beggar, so go and ask the beggars, everywhere, to forgive you!”
Cross Posted at Power and Control


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2 responses to “Insulting A Beggar”

  1. Larry Sheldon Avatar
    Larry Sheldon

    Wow!

  2. Eric Scheie Avatar

    I think The Beverly Hillbilles used that anecdote!
    Milburn Drysdale had a similar reaction when he first met the Clampett clan. He roughly grabbed Uncle Jed, and screamed “What have you done to Mr. Clampett?!?”