Deborah J. Ross (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deborahjross) wrote2010-04-22 10:24 am
deborahjross) wrote2010-04-22 10:24 am
What We Own
The story is told of the Jewish diplomat and scholar Isaac Abrabanel (1437-1508), chancellor to King Ferdinand of Castile, that he was once asked by the king how much he owned. He named a certain sum.
"But surely," the king said, "you own much more than that."
"The property I have, I do not own," Abrabanel replied. "Your majesty may seize it from me tomorrow. At best, I am its temporary guardian. The sum I mentioned is what I have given away in charity. That merit alone, neither you nor any earthly power can take away from me."
We own what we are willing to share.
From To Heal A Fractured World; The Ethics of Responsibility, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
"But surely," the king said, "you own much more than that."
"The property I have, I do not own," Abrabanel replied. "Your majesty may seize it from me tomorrow. At best, I am its temporary guardian. The sum I mentioned is what I have given away in charity. That merit alone, neither you nor any earthly power can take away from me."
We own what we are willing to share.
From To Heal A Fractured World; The Ethics of Responsibility, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
no subject
I've been rereading Hassidic stories about charity, lately. So many wonderful tales.