"Nu, I do that too."

There was once a country doctor that lived in a small village in Poland. He was a very charitable fellow but would let people know it. It once happened that he was riding in his carriage when he chanced upon the Rabbi of the village walking along the road. He offered the Rav a ride, who gladly accepted.

During the trip, the doctor struck up a conversion. "You know," he said, "I never charge poor people who can't afford my services." The rabbi coolly responded, "Nu, I do the same thing." The man was a little taken aback. OK, so the Rav wasn't impressed, but what does he mean? Perhaps he also doesn't charge poor people for his services.

The doctor continued, "Why yes, if someone is too poor to afford medication, I will supply the necessary apothecaries, free of charge." The Rabbi responded, "Nu, I do that too." The doctor did not understand. What medicines did he prescribe? He concluded that there must be instances where the Rav supplied the needs of the poor.

Still trying to impress his passenger, the doctor boasted, "Their are times when I will prescribe a rest trip to a resort. If the poor person cannot afford the trip, I will pay for his trip and the money lost from not working." The Rabbi simply responded, "Nu, I do that too." The doctor could not contain himself. "You mean to tell me that you provide vacations for your congregants?" "Not at all," responded the Rabbi. "What I meant was that I also tell everyone all the good things I do. The bad things, I don't even tell myself."

© 2009 by Herschel Finman