To all of ‘Us’ From One of ‘Them’

Note: A message that many people will agree should be an ideal, but only a few will only put into practice. However, I do not know where such a concept of Ahavat Chinam comes from. Does anyone have any sources?

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It was the night of the geulah
And in every single shteibel
Sounds of Torah could be heard
Coming from every kind of Yeidel.

This one in English,
Some in Hebrew, some in Yiddish
Some saying p’shat
And some saying a chidush.

And up in shamayim
The Aibishter decreed:
“The time has come
For my children to be freed.”

Rouse the Mashiach
From his heavenly berth.
Have him get in his chariot
And head down to earth.”

The Mashiach got dressed
And with a heart full of glee
Went down to earth & entered
the first shteibel he did see.

“I’m the Mashiach.
Hashem has heard your plea.
Your geulah has come
It is time to go free!”

They all stopped their learning.
This was quite a surprise.
And they looked at him carefully
With piercing sharp eyes.

“He’s not the Mashiach!”
Said one with a grin.
“Just look at his hat
At the pinches & brim!”

“That’s right!” cried another
With a grimace & frown.
“Whoever heard of Mashiach
With a brim that is – down?”

“Well,” thought Mashiach,
“If this is the rule,
I’ll turn my brim up
Before I go to the next shul.”

So he walked on right over
To the next shul in town,
Sure to be accepted
Since his brim was no longer down.

“I’m the Mashiach!” he cried,
As he began to enter.
But the Jews there wanted to know first
If he was left, right or center.

“Your clothes are so black!”
They cried out in fright.
“You can’t be the Mashiach,
You’re much too far right!”

“If you want to be Mashiach,
You must be properly outfitted.”
So they replaced his black hat
With a kippah which was knitted.

Wearing his new kippah,
Mashiach went out & said,
“No difference to me
What I wear on my head.”

So he went to the next shul
For his mission was dear.
But he was getting a bit frustrated
With the Yidden down here.

“I’m the Mashiach!” he cried
And they all stopped to stare.
And a complete eerie stillness
Filled up the air.

“You’re the Mashiach?”
Just imagine that!
Whoever heard of Mashiach
Without a black hat?”

“But I do have a hat!”
The Mashiach then said.
So he pulled it right out
And he planked it down on his head.

Then the shul started laughing
And one said, “Where’s your kop?
You can’t have a Mashiach
With a brim that is up!

“If you want to be Mashiach
And be accepted in this town,
Put some pinches in your hat
And turn that brim down!”

Mashiach walked out & said,
“I guess my time hasn’t come.
I’ll just have to return
To where I came from.”

So he went to his chariot,
But as he began to enter,
All sorts of Jews appeared
From the left, right & center.

“Please wait, do not leave.
It’s all THEIR fault!” they said
And they pointed to each other
And to what was on each other’s head.

Mashiach just looked sad
And said,” You don’t understand,”
And then started up his chariot
To get out of this land.

Yes, it’s very wonderful
that you all learn Torah
but you seem to have forgotten
A crucial part of our mesorah.”

“What does he mean?
What is he talking about?”
And they all looked bewildered
And all began to shout.

Mashiach looked back & answered,
“The first place to start
Is to close your mouths
And open up your heart.”

“To each of you, certain Yidden
Seem too frum or too frei
but ALL Yidden are beloved
In the Aibishter’s eye.”

And on-his way up he shouted:
“If you want me to come,
Try working a little harder
On some AHAVAS CHINAM!”

CYZF Toronto 1992.
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