Mussar From An Unlikely Source

I was about to walk into Staples on Broadway and 81st the other day to print the brochure for the new yeshiva. I used to think yeshivas were about substance but now I am learning about the public relations aspect which involves a lot of fluff. The plan is to have substance as well but I have to get them to come first.... AHHHHHHH - עלמא דשיקרא, the world of falsehood.

So a young black woman calls out to me as if I am a long lost friend and says "HI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO STOP CHILD HUNGER IN NEW YORK CITY." Of course I would like to stop child hunger in New York City! But I am approached so often for tzedaka and I really wanted to take care of my business in the store, so I mumbled "thank you" [for what? but I felt like I had to say something], smiled and entered the store. But she wasn't done with me. She cried out something to the effect of "HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY" with such emotion it really seemed like she meant it.

Sweetest friends - I can't see into people's hearts. I don't know what she was thinking but I know one thing. The whole episode was haunting me. She was so friendly and I didn't give a shekelpenny. On my way out I approached her from the side and extended a dollar bill. At first she didn't see me. So I just stood there until she noticed me. The she turned her head and saw me and the dollar bill.

At first she didn't take it. She was in shock and it seemed on the verge of tears. Then she broke out with such words of gratitude it was as if I just handed her 50 K and the keys to a new car. I must admit. She was so nice I really felt like I should have given more [גיטין - מפרנסין עניי עכו"ם עם עניי ישראל].

So I learned mussar from a black girl [שחורה אני ונאוה בנות ירושלים - אמר החכם מכל אדם]. Be friendly even if the other person is not. It opens hearts.

It certainly opened mine....