The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-25
JEWISH LAUGHS Nv Jacoh Rich man
No Cause for Jealousy

The world, according to a Tal- mudic tradition, Is based on three things: Torah, Worship and Charity. The three pillars of the universe are sadly neglected, however, in our wicked genera ton.
 It Is told that this benign tri- umvirate appeared before the AL mighty, blessed be He. and lugu- briously compl; med of their hard task.
 Said the Torah: 70 Creator of the Universe. Thou hast in Thy wisdom based the world on Thy Humble maid-servant. But how can I act as mainstay for that world when practically nobody studies me?"
 "No. my child" said the, Lord, consolingly, things art not so bad. Are there no rabbis who study the Torah?"
 Worship came next with a simi- lar complaint. Master of the Universe" walled Worship, dis consolately. "how can I uphold the world when nobody does any worshipping??"
 "The situation is not so hope less," comforted the Almighty. There are numerous cantors who go through the entire ordeal of worship from beginning to end"
 Charity followed with similar grievance.
 70 Lord of Hosts" sobbed that guardian angel. "how can I up- hold the world when the practice of charity is so miserably neg lected"
 Calm myself. daughter" con- soled the Source of Charity. Just take trip to an orthodox syna- gogue and thou wilt see what perfect delight the congregants take In passing boxes of snuff to- bacco to one another, and thou wilt be convinced that the prac- tice of charity is not dead yet"
 But my Lord" pleaded Char ity, rather sighted. ITO Torah and Worship Thou has given rab- bis and cantors to look after their interests; men who pray and study, while I have to depend on pinch of snuff tobacco"
 Believe me, child" said the Almighty. tenderly. the Torah of the Rabbis and the worship of the cantors are not worth even a pinch of snuff tobacco"
 Preparedness
 The rabbi of the small Lithuan- ian town of Grinkishok was a man of a quiet and humble dis position. He strictly minded his own business and spent his days in his study, where he was writ Ing constantly and feverishly most of the time.
 Our rabbi Is surely one of the greatest men living" boasted the proud men of Grinkishok to their co-religionists of the neighboring communities. Always writing and writing and writing. We don't suppose he would let any of his works be published while alive-he Is too modest a man for that. But after a hundred and twenty years, when he is gone, and we publish his manuscripts, they will positively surprise the world"
 When the venerable man died there was great sorrow and mourning. The whole town of Grinkishok was grief stricken at the loss of their great spiritual leader.
 Then the elders of the town got together and decided to examine the manuscripts of the deceased and, with the permission of the heirs. have them published, so that mankind in general and the Jewish nation in particular might benefit through them.
 The committee of local scholars entered the sanctum sanctorum of the demised sage with feelings of awe and reverence. Tremblingly they touched the manuscripts. But after a brief perusal it was found that the spiritual heritage of the great man consisted of fu- neral orations on the important members of his congregation.