Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov was teaching his disciples when they were
disturbed by a knock on the shutter. A peasant, hauling a cart of tools, peered
through the window. "Need any fixing?" he cried. "Any shaky tables, broken
chairs? A loose brick in the hearth, perhaps?"
"No, no," came the impatient reply from within, where all were eager to get
on with the interrupted lesson. "Everything is in perfect condition. There's no
need for any repairs."
"Indeed? Nothing to repair?" called the peasant. "That simply cannot be.
Look well, and you're sure to find something that needs fixing!"
Rabbi Israel then addressed his students: "Many times have I taught you that
nothing is by chance in G-d's world; that every event and experience is
purposeful, that everything one sees or hears is a lesson for one's service of
the Almighty. Think of the words we just heard from this simple peasant. How
profoundly relevant they are to each and every one of us! Is everything really
in perfect condition? At times it might seem so; but if one truly searches his
heart and evaluates his life, is he not sure to find something that requires
repair...?"
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