A Jew is a Torah, but not a written one. .................

The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe sent representatives around America to motivate the Jewish communities. One such emissary went to Chicago. The Rebbe instructed him to visit a Mr. L. whose parents were Lubavitchers in Russia but had himself strayed. A small delegation made their way to Mr. L.'s house. They spoke for more than an hour, recalling the good old days of Lubavitch. As the shliach rose to leave, Mr. L. took out a checkbook, but the representative refused to take any money. Mr. L. was confused.

"Let me explain," said the shliach, "It sometimes happens, especially when a Torah is not used that a letter fades, and according to Jewish law, if a letter is missing in the Torah it is no longer 'kosher. It must be repaired by a scribe. The Rebbe taught us that every Jew is a Torah. There are letters and words, which the Jew spells out in his daily conduct - Shabbos, kosher, Jewish Marriage Laws, raising children to a life of Torah and mitzvahs - all these are the `letters' which make up the living Torah, namely, the Jew. Sometimes it happens that one of these letters becomes faded.

So the Rebbe sends us, the 'scribes,' from time to time, to freshen up some of the faded letters, and make each one of us a perfect Torah." Mr. L. was duly impressed.

The shliach reported his trip when he arrived back in New York. The Rebbe liked the explanation he gave Mr. L. but added a correction:

"A Jew is a Torah, but not a written one. He is rather like the Ten Commandments - engraved in the stone tablets Moshe brought down the mountain. The Torah and mitzvot are an integral part of the Jewish soul; they are engraved in his mind and heart. You do not have to `rewrite' a Jew; all you have to do is help him brush away the dust and grime of environmental influences which have temporary covered up his true self - the 'pintele Yid'. This is why a Jewish heart is always awake and responsive."

Right now, you have a mitzvah not to learn Torah

Reb Zusha and Reb Elimelech - circa late 1700's, once found themselves in jail. Reb Zusha started to cry as the open latrine in the cell meant they could not learn Torah. Reb Elimelech consoled him, "The G'd who said you can learn Torah only in a clean place is the same G'd who said you cannot learn in a filthy place. Right now, you have a mitzvah not to learn Torah."

Reb Zusha became very excited when he heard this and began to dance. His joy was so infectious that in a very short time, he had all of his cell mates up and dancing. The commotion brought the guards who wanted to know what was all the ruckus. The prisoners pointed to Zusha. The guard asked him, "And what is making you so happy?" Reb Zusha pointed to the latrine. "If that's the case," snarled the guard, "I am removing it immediately."

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'