This story "about religious observances that continue even when Jews do not remember the place, the person (i.e., a Rabbi), or even the prayer that has been passed from one generation to another" is a traditional story about the Baal Shem Tov and subsequent generations of Hassidic rebbes that appears in a number of places. Here is one version: http://www.jewishstorytelling.org/story.html
A Story Whenever the Jews were threatened with disaster, the Baal Shem Tov would go to a certain place in the forest, light a fire, and say a special prayer. Always a miracle would occur, and the disaster would be averted. In the later times when disaster threatened, the Maggid of Mezritch, his disciple, would go to the same place in the forest and say, "Master of the Universe, I do not know how to light the fire, but I can say the prayer." And again the disaster would be averted. Still later, his disciple, Moshe Leib of Sasov, would go to the same place in the forest and say, "Lord of the World, I do not know how to light the fire or say the prayer, but I know the place and that must suffice." And it always did. When Israel of Rizhyn needed intervention from heaven, he would say to G-d, "I no longer know the place, nor how to light the fire, nor to say the prayer, but I can tell the story and that must suffice." . . . And it did. Remember the story, tell it, pass it on. Harvey Sukenic Library Director [email protected] www.hebrewcollege.edu <http://www.hebrewcollege.edu/> Hebrew College ________________________________ From: hasafran-bounces+hsukenic=hebrewcollege....@lists.service.ohio-state.edu [mailto:[email protected] tate.edu] On Behalf Of ELEANOR TANDOWSKY Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2014 12:11 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ha-Safran] Source or citation for a Midrash Our Rabbi gave a sermon this Shabbat about religious observances that continue even when Jews do not remember the place, the person (i.e., a Rabbi), or even the prayer that has been passed from one generation to another. He thought it might be midrash about the Golem of Prague. I do recall reading a story in which this happens, but could not find it in our Golem titles or Midrash collections. Does this admittedly incomplete reference question ring bells for anyone? Any clues or citations would be greatly appreciated. Eleanor Tandowsky Temple Beth Sholom-Slater Memorial Library San Leandro, California [email protected]
<<image001.jpg>>
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
