THE LOST DOWRY

In order to be able to see the Light and blessings from the important spiritual actions we do, we have to make sure our ego does not become involved. When we want people to know what we have done – and respect us for it – we render our spiritual actions almost worthless.

This requires constant awareness, as the ego is very dangerous and constantly on the lookout for ways to come into the situation.

This idea is perfectly illustrated in a famous story about Rav Zusha of Anipoli. He was traveling the countryside and as he entered a certain town, he saw many people dressed up and standing around waiting for a wedding to begin. It appeared there was a delay, and he learned it was due to the fact that the mother of the bride had lost the dowry and could not afford to pay for the wedding.

He went through all the people and found the mother of the bride. He approached her and said, “I hear you have lost your daughter’s dowry. Can you please tell me the denominations the money was in so that I may help look for it?” After telling him all the details, he responded, “I believe I have found your money. Allow me to go back to the inn where I am staying and get it for you.”

He came back a half hour later and said, “I found your money.” Everyone was so excited, and word quickly spread that the wedding would proceed as planned. However, out of the blue he announced, “I want to take a 30% finder’s fee from the dowry.”

Everyone started yelling at him, “What are you crazy- a finders fee - this money is holding up the wedding - how dare you!”

“I’m sorry but I believe I deserve a 30% finders fee, and I would like it now,” he responded. Well, that caused a ruckus, as you can imagine, and the entire family pounced on him, grabbed the money out of his hand, and ran him out of town like a common criminal.

A few months later the leader of that town was visiting Rav Zusha’s teacher, the Maggid of Mezrich, and told him what happened. “I don’t understand. He is a student of yours. I expected his behavior to be exemplary. How could he behave in such a selfish way?”

Perplexed, the Maggid of Mezrich called Rav Zusha over and told him, “I want you to tell us the real story of what happened in that town.” Rav Zusha demurred, saying he would rather not because it was too embarrassing. After going back and forth, the Maggid finally said, “I command you, as your teacher, to tell me the story.”

And so he told it. “I was traveling from town to town collecting money for my daughter’s wedding. It took me about two months, but I finally raised enough money. When I arrived in this town and heard the sad story of the lost dowry, I decided that since my daughter’s wedding wasn’t for another few weeks, and this one was happening right now, the right thing to do was to take the money I collected and give it to this family.
I did.

But, I wanted to make sure no one would know what I did, so I asked the mother the proper denominations in order to ensure that she believed the money was hers. I went back to the inn where I was staying, retrieved my own daughter’s dowry, and walked over to the moneychanger to convert it into the denominations specified by the mother.

On my way there, my ego started talking to me. “Zusha, who else in the world would do what you are doing now? Who else in the world would take the money they spent months collecting for their own daughter’s wedding and give it to a stranger? Who else in the world is as thoughtful and sharing as you are?” With every step I took, my ego grew louder and stronger.

I realized that if I let my ego grow, my action would become almost worthless. Yes, it would have been a great personal sacrifice, but it also would have been completely taken over by my ego. I knew I had to find a way to both do the important action, and also to finish off my ego so it did not grow from this action. That is when I came up with the idea of a finder’s fee, knowing full well they would run me out of town in disgrace.

It was the perfect plan - I could do the action of sharing, and still be able to diminish my ego.”

The lesson in this story is that great actions of sharing – when done in such a way that the ego grows - become almost worthless. As a matter of fact, they can even be detrimental. We want to be careful that whenever we do positive actions - especially if they are large and significant – that we also think of ways to prevent them from growing our ego. Only then can we be certain that these actions will bring as much Light and blessings into our lives as they can.
can i take viagra Viagra Lawyers viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Viagra And Hearing Loss snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Hebal Ed Treatment viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Otc Ed Treatments cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Erectile Dysfunction Pills Evaluated can i take viagra
viagra how it works Vitamins For Erectile Dysfunction herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Erectile Dysfunction Yasmin Zyrtec viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Male Sexual Impotence Relationship Paul taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Viagra Jelly “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Erectile Dysfunction Institute viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Order 50mg Viagra snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Sample Ed Treatment viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Metformin Male Impotence cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Erectile Dysfunction And Rubber Band can i take viagra
viagra how it works 2cialis Dysfunction Erectile Levitra Viagra herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Female Viagra viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Cure For Erectile Dysfunction taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Watermelon Viagra Affect “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Viagra Contraindications viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Viagra Without Prescription snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Add Url Erectile Dysfunction viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Male Impotence Caused From Spinal Surgery cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Viagra Discount can i take viagra
viagra how it works Correction For Male Impotence herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Muse And Erectile Dysfunction viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Viagra Erectile Dysfunction taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Cheap Viagra Walmart “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Treatment For Emotional Ed viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Male Sexual Impotence Pills snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Natual Viagra viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Cause Of Male Impotence cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Best Erectile Dysfunction Pill can i take viagra
viagra how it works Viagra Soft herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Buy Viagra Onli viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Comparison Of Erectile Dysfunction Medication taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Viagra Pill “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Viagra And Alternatives viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Mexican Viagra snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Hormone Ed Treatment viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Erectile Dysfunction Aids cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Erectile Dysfunction And Marital Aides can i take viagra
viagra how it works Viagra Patent herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Viagra Pharmacy viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Accupril And Erectile Dysfunction taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Generic Viagra India “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Viagra Alternative viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Erectile Dysfunction Vacuum Pump snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Male Sexual Aides For Impotence viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Male Impotence And Pregnancy cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Do Somas Cause Erectile Dysfunction can i take viagra
viagra how it works What Is The Best Erectile Dysfunction Drug herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Trimox For Erectile Dysfunction viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Viagra Prescription taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Zocor And Erectile Dysfunction “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Erectile Dysfunction Vitamins viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Viagra 100mg snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Viagra Directions viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Free Erectile Dysfunction Pills cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Fake Viagra can i take viagra
viagra how it works Viagra Next Day Delivery herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Cialis Com Cialis And Erectile Dysfunction taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Co-ed Intensive Outpatient Treatment “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Exercises For Male Impotence viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Kosher Herbal Ed Treatment snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Treatment For Priapism From Ed Medication viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Topical Ed Treatment cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Erectile Dysfunction And Tricor can i take viagra
viagra how it works Electronic Ed Treatment herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Herbs And Viagra Interaction viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Ray Sahelian On Herbal Treatments Ed taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Viagra Substitute “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Male Factor Impotence viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! No Prescription Viagra snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Erectile Dysfunction And Weight viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Erectile Dysfunction Trimox cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Erectile Dysfunction Exercise can i take viagra
viagra how it works Natural Treatment For Ed herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Accounting Treatment Sr Ed viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Latest Medical Research For Male Impotence taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Natural Remedies For Erectile Dysfunction “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Ed Treatment Centers In Florida viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Purchase Viagra Online snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Viagra Or Cialis viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Over The Counter Erectile Dysfunction cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Male Impotence Treatmen can i take viagra
viagra how it works Erectile Dysfunction Cures herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Buy Cheap Viagra Online viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Levitra Versus Viagra taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Low Cost Viagra “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Male Age Related Impotence viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Nefazadone And Erectile Dysfunction snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Non Prescription Viagra viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman What To Do For Erectile Dysfunction cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Viagra And Blood Pressure can i take viagra
viagra how it works Eros God Ed Treatment herbal viagra forums!
snorting viagra health Viagra Uterine Thickness viagra patent levitra
viagra anxiety Sickle Cell Disease And Male Impotence taking viagra woman
cheap gerneric viagra! Viagra Mexico “generic viagra levitra and cialis pills”
can i take viagra Viagra Retin-a Ed Erectile Dysfunction viagra how it works
herbal viagra forums! Using Viagra snorting viagra health
viagra patent levitra Solutions To Male Impotence viagra anxiety
taking viagra woman Male Impotence Drug Treatment cheap gerneric viagra!
“generic viagra levitra and cialis pills” Herbal Ed Treatment can i take viagra
viagra how it works Cures For Erectile Dysfunction herbal viagra forums!

Only You

Every single one of us has a unique job to accomplish in this world. We all have a distinct soul and Light we are destined to reveal. Nobody else in the world – past, present or future – has or will have the ability to do what the Creator has entrusted us to do. If all the greatest spiritual giants were to come down and work for a million years, even they could never do what we can – and must - do.

There is a story about the building of the Holy Temple (an important world spiritual center) in Jerusalem. According to the ancient texts, all the most beautiful stones were gathered for the building. During the construction, the workers found a stone that was so ugly it was cast aside into a rubble heap. As the Temple neared completion, they found a stone missing in a tiny corner of the most important part of the building, what Kabbalists call “the Holy of Holies” (the innermost sacred chamber.) They were unsure what to do because they were all out of stones.

Finally, one man remembered the ugly stone they discarded earlier, and he retrieved it from the trash. Not only did it fit, but it was a perfect fit! King David even writes a verse describing the scene, “the stone the builders despised became the cornerstone.”

One of the greatest ploys of our negative side is to convince us that we are not enough. We think others are more knowledgeable and better suited to do great things whereas we are somehow limited in what we can accomplish. But as this story teaches us, the lowest can become the highest because each one of us has a unique gift that only we can share with the world.

There is another story of the student of a great kabbalist who wished he could accomplish great things in this world, but doubted his ability to do so. He told his teacher, “if only I had the brains of this great wise man, the vision of this other great wise man, and the physical abilities of yet this other great wise man, only then could I really accomplish something significant with my life.”

The kabbalist responded, “There are things only you can do for people because of your unique qualities that no one else in the world can do. You do not need anybody else’s abilities to accomplish your life’s important purpose.”

This is an essential point. Many of us think, “If only I had that talent or education or money of so-and-so, then I could do big things.” The kabbalists warn us of such erroneous thinking. We are exactly the way we are meant to be, and no one can do what we can - and need - to do. The Light gave us everything we need and all of those people we are envious of can never do what we can.

The great 18th century polish kabbalist, Rav Zusha of Anipoli, once said, “When I go to heaven, I won’t be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Moses? Why weren’t you Abraham?’ I will be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Zusha?’”

We each have all the qualities we need to do the great things we are meant to do. We do not need to be someone else. We are exactly who we are for a reason, and we have a unique soul and mission that only you or I can accomplish.

I cannot stress this point enough. There are so many people out there whose unique gifts remain hidden. And if they leave this world without bringing out their gifts, the world will be forever lacking, no matter how many spiritual giants come into existence.

This week, realize there are people whose lives can be influenced, improved and changed only by you. Look within and ask yourself, “What is my unique gift to this world?” Once you know what you are looking for, you will find it. And when you do, cherish it because nobody else can reveal the unique Light you are meant to reveal.