Your Good Deeds Are Your Best Friends
A certain man had three friends: two of whom he loved dearly, the other he but lightly esteemed. It appended one day that the king commanded his presence at court, at which he was greatly alarmed, and iced to procure an advocate. He went the two friends, whom he loved. One atly refused to accompany him, the her offered to go with him as far as the ing's gate, but no farther. Desperate, he alled upon the third friend, whom he east esteemed; and that friend not only Ent willingly with him, but also so ably defended him before the king that he as honourably acquitted. Similarly, every man has three ends, when Death summons him to opear before the Creator. His friend, home he loves most, namely his money, anat go with him a single step; his econo, relations and neighbours, an only accompany him up to the cremation/burial ground, but cannot defend him before the Judge, while his third friend, whom he does not highly esteem-his good deeds-go with him before the king, and obtain his acquittal. This story is narrated by Joseph Hertz in his Daily Prayer Book. Hayim Halberstem said, "In my youth, I thought to convert the whole world to God. But soon, I discovered that it would be enough to convert the people who lived in my town; andI tried that for a time, but did not succeed. I realised that my programme was still too ambitious and I concentrated on the persons in my household. I could not convert them either. Finally it dawned on me. I must work upon myself, so that Imay give true service to God, but i did not accomplish even this." Often, our good ideas and objectives are dissipated because of more alluring alternatives that present themselves before us, using up our limited time, energy and resources. The irony is that the pursuit of noble and worthy aims seldom carries with it financial gains. So we often are tempted and change our course of action and replace our intentions with more 'profitable’ activities. The greatest legacу, footprints on the sands of time, that one can leave behind are a trail of good deeds, which alone can justify one's mortal existence. The habit of procrastination kills good intentions. It takes a strongwill, inspiration and great enthusiasm to start any enterprise and more so for an understanding of that which is of spiritual value ratherthan of material value. But material values are not to be despised since these may be harnessed to ethical objectives. The moment a good intention is born, it must be executed immediately. What is the point of goointention if it is not executed? Each person is an artist that creathis own personality. His character creates the image that he presents toothers. By our own deeds and though we can make this image of infinite beauty or we can make it ugly. Beforeis too late, let us make good deeds ourbest friend. "A man is known by three names. The first is the name which his parengive him; the second is the name by which others call him, and the third thename by which he is identified intrue record of his life, from Birth to Death."-Midrash (The writer is priest and honorarysecretary, Judah Hyam Synagogue, №Delhi.)
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Ezekiel Isaac Malekar kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Ezekiel Isaac Malekar speaking Tree,Times of India
Your Good Deeds Are Your Best Friends
A certain man had three friends: two of whom he loved dearly, the other he but lightly esteemed. It appended one day that the king commanded his presence at court, at which he was greatly alarmed, and iced to procure an advocate. He went the two friends, whom he loved. One atly refused to accompany him, the her offered to go with him as far as the ing's gate, but no farther. Desperate, he alled upon the third friend, whom he east esteemed; and that friend not only Ent willingly with him, but also so ably defended him before the king that he as honourably acquitted. Similarly, every man has three ends, when Death summons him to opear before the Creator. His friend, home he loves most, namely his money, anat go with him a single step; his econo, relations and neighbours, an only accompany him up to the cremation/burial ground, but cannot defend him before the Judge, while his third friend, whom he does not highly esteem-his good deeds-go with him before the king, and obtain his acquittal. This story is narrated by Joseph Hertz in his Daily Prayer Book. Hayim Halberstem said, "In my youth, I thought to convert the whole world to God. But soon, I discovered that it would be enough to convert the people who lived in my town; andI tried that for a time, but did not succeed. I realised that my programme was still too ambitious and I concentrated on the persons in my household. I could not convert them either. Finally it dawned on me. I must work upon myself, so that Imay give true service to God, but i did not accomplish even this." Often, our good ideas and objectives are dissipated because of more alluring alternatives that present themselves before us, using up our limited time, energy and resources. The irony is that the pursuit of noble and worthy aims seldom carries with it financial gains. So we often are tempted and change our course of action and replace our intentions with more 'profitable’ activities. The greatest legacу, footprints on the sands of time, that one can leave behind are a trail of good deeds, which alone can justify one's mortal existence. The habit of procrastination kills good intentions. It takes a strongwill, inspiration and great enthusiasm to start any enterprise and more so for an understanding of that which is of spiritual value ratherthan of material value. But material values are not to be despised since these may be harnessed to ethical objectives. The moment a good intention is born, it must be executed immediately. What is the point of goointention if it is not executed? Each person is an artist that creathis own personality. His character creates the image that he presents toothers. By our own deeds and though we can make this image of infinite beauty or we can make it ugly. Beforeis too late, let us make good deeds ourbest friend. "A man is known by three names. The first is the name which his parengive him; the second is the name by which others call him, and the third thename by which he is identified intrue record of his life, from Birth to Death."-Midrash (The writer is priest and honorarysecretary, Judah Hyam Synagogue, №Delhi.)
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Ezekiel Isaac Malekar kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Ezekiel Isaac Malekar speaking Tree,Times of India