Giving Up

[phkrause]

A local tzedakah had never received a donation from a certain wealthy man, so Rabbi Epstein, the tzedakah's Executive Director made a phone call.

“Our records show that you are a very wealthy man, yet you haven’t given a penny to our charity,” the Rabbi began. “Wouldn’t you like to help the community?”

The man replied, “Did your research show that my mother is ill, with extremely expensive medical bills?”

“Um, no,” mumbled the Rabbi.

“Or that my brother is blind and unemployed? Or that my sister’s husband died, leaving her broke with four kids?”

“I … I … I had no idea.”

“So,” said the man, “if I don’t give them any money, why would I give any to you?”