THE TRADITION
A young rabbi was dismayed to find a serious quarrel among members of his new congregation. The quarrel took up all the congregation’s energy. During Friday services, half the participants stood up during one part of the proceedings while half remained seated. All decorum was lost as each side shouted at the other side to conform. Members of each group insisted that theirs was the correct tradition. Seeking guidance, the young rabbi took a representative from each side to visit the synagogue’s founder, a ninety-nine-year old rabbi living in a nursing home.
“Rabbi, isn’t it true that the the tradition was always for the people to stand at this point in the service?” inquired the man from the standing-up side.
“No, that was not the tradition,” the old man replied.
“Then it is true the tradition is for the people to stay seated?” asked the sitting-down representative.
“No,” the rabbi said, “that was not the tradition.”
“But, rabbi,” cried the young rabbi, “what we have now is complete chaos; half the people stand and shout, while the others sit and scream.”
“Ah,” said the old man. “THAT was the tradition.”
Some people have the tradition of fighting for their own opinion, even when it really doesn’t matter. Christ has called us to overcome our own selfishness and be united. Somethings aren’t worth fighting over.
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