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Book Title Bringing Heaven Down to Earth
Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
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168. Fur Coats & Furnaces

Have you ever heard of the "Saint in a Fur Coat"?

He sits in his house by a fireplace full of wood. But there is no fire. The house, and everyone in it are shivering from the cold. All except for him. He dons a fur coat and he is warm.

So we ask him, "Why do you warm only yourself? Why not kindle the wood in your fireplace and warm others as well?"

He answers, "It is not just this house. The entire world is struck with a bitter, cold wind. Do you expect me to warm up an entire world?"

So we tell him that he does not have to warm up the entire world. But perhaps he could warm up one other individual. Perhaps two. Perhaps he could warm up one little corner of the world.

"For a person such as I," he replies, "it is not fitting to warm up only one corner."

And so there he sits, in his cold, dark house,
all comfy in his fur coat.

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Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 13, 2010
Explanation
Rabbi,
That was great - and it perfectly applies to what I specifically needed to hear today! Thank you and G-d bless you.
Posted By Still Learning, San Clemente, CA

Posted: Oct 12, 2010
Some explanation
The "Tzadik in Peltz" (or Saint in a Fur Coat) is a parable to describe Noah. G-d told him that the world had become corrupt and all Noah could do about it was save his family. Abraham, on the other hand, saw a corrupt world and went out and did something about it.

The fur coat, then, represents the spiritual path of the person. There are those who shun the coarse materialism of modern life and so form a commune in the hills where they live a spiritual life. Others meet the materialism head on, and inject spirituality into it, so that the entire world benefits.
Posted By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Posted: Oct 12, 2010
Hi, "Still Learning".
It seems we all have learned our lesson. Very right. We must start today to "warm up a little corner of our world". G-D bless.
Posted By Mariam, bahawalpur, pakistan

Posted: Oct 12, 2010
Good word
You are very wise, Katherine from Villanova..."He doesn't understand that to help the world he must first help his community."
Posted By Mel, Port Shepstone, South Africa

Posted: Oct 11, 2010
Warmth
Hi "Anonymous from Arizona",
I just got back from there. I agree with you. Arrogance and selfishness do nothing to make this world a better place, nor do they help the person who's relying on those traits to be happy. Nothing brings joy to the heart like helping others in any small way, and nothing alienates and saddens more than the proud, self-obsessed heart. What can each of us do today to warm up a little corner of our world? I'll start by calling someone who could use some cheering up. Many blessings to you all.
Posted By Still Learning, San Clemente, CA

Posted: Oct 11, 2010
Fur Who
Sorry about the typographical error in the word "intersection," you are right it is spelled intercession. We all make mistakes in semantics don"t we. But the most important thing about this so called "Saint" is his behavior. Don't you think so? And it looks like most of our comments show we all received the message. Lets not be arrogant and selfish, hmm...

Blessings to all ya out there!!!
Posted By Anonymous, mesa, Aarizona,USA

Posted: Oct 11, 2010
Ah, "a saint in his own eyes" - I missed the sarcasm, silly me. Thank you, Mariam from Pakistan!
The story has a great message, and I love your brief interpretation.
Posted By Still Learning, San Clemente, CA

Posted: Oct 11, 2010
explanation
The man represents a kind of person who thinks highly of himself as a g-dly person. He is able to feed himself spiritually by learning Torah and keep himself FEELING warm. He is being selfish because he is not sharing the warmth he feels with his community(people in the house). He is not sharing how he is able to feel warm either.
Obviously he wants to help others feel warm ("The entire world is struck with a bitter, cold wind.") and develop a connection with G-d but not for the right reasons. He says "For a person such as I, it is not fitting to warm up only one corner." He wants to help the rest of the world because he thinks he's better than the people around him, too good for them. He is too proud of himself. He doesn't understand that to help the world he must first help his community. He has made no connection that helping his community helps the entire world. By warming those around him, those he warms will warm others. He needs to think globally and act locally. Be less proud.
Posted By Katherine, Villanova, PA, USA

Posted: Oct 10, 2010
Fur Who?
I agree with your interpretation. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I see it is an interesting parable regarding lack of faith interspersed with human pride, i.e.: "If I can't effect an impressive amount of change myself (pride), why bother - since apparentaly G-d's not going to do something about it (lack of faith)."
My understanding of someone who is a saint, is someone who has profound and complete faith in G-d, and would gladly contribute in any way to the betterment of another (or many) no matter how small the mitzvah. (By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by "intersection" - do you mean "intercession" which refers to praying on behalf of another?).
Since this is most likely simply an issue of symantics, what is your definition of a "Saint" ? That would probably clarify it for me. Thanks
Posted By Still Learning, San Clemente, CA

Posted: Oct 10, 2010
He is a saint in his own eyes, it is type of self-righteous. He does not want to give but is not ready to admit it, rather justifies himself. He is a sinner but poses to be a saint.
Posted By Mariam, bahawalpur, pakistan



 


Breaking Free
The Highest
The Gateway
Ego
Beyond I
Leaving Egypt
Four Realms
Escape
Fur Coats & Furnaces
Noah and Abraham
. . . and Moses
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Ego Dieting
Beyond Limitations
Free Love
Sincerity
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