Hi,

Hope you’re having a great day.

… Some things are so unlikely to be a topic for a Torah Minute.

And getting a haircut it right up there!

But last week’s visit to the barber was different.

As I was having my haircut?

A fellow walks in and takes a seat.

I said good morning to him and noticed the words on his t-shirt.

What did it say?

…“I pray that G-d is not picky!”

(I was thinking to myself…

“Did he call before getting dressed to see if there was a rabbi there?

And is this one of those jokes?

Will a priest and a nun walk in next?”)

I thought that his t-shirt called for a response!

So I looked at him again, smiled and said…

“Amen!”

… This got me thinking as I sat in the barber chair.

What does Jewish tradition say about it?

Is G-d picky?

There is no question that G-d really cares about how we live.

(He did not give us the “Ten Suggestions”!)

But He has compassion and has patience with us.

And in some of our prayers we do ask G-d not to be picky.

We ask Him to overlook our shortcomings.  We ask Him to forgive.

But there’s more.

You know what can decide if G-d is going to be picky?

We can!

Because G-d relates to us the way we relate to other people.

If we’re picky?

Not willing to forgive.  Refusing to look the other way.  Having no patience for others?

Then there’s no point in praying that G-d not be picky with us.

Because we don’t deserve it!

But if we try hard to always be generous with others?

Even with the people who make that very hard?

G-d notices.

And there’s a good chance that His answer to our prayer will be…

“Amen!”

All the best,