The Skyline Man - Stick Figure Vignettes

I think this is my favorite one so far. My brother said it was the most atmospheric. Which is funny, because an almost-empty diner with a faint clanking of dishes in the background and a little handwritten “ask about our pie” sign is quite possibly the most boring atmosphere I could come up with. But for some reason, it was really fun for me to recreate that stifling boredom. And then let that little stick man, in some small way, break out of it.

So what does that have to do with Abraham?

Abraham was fighting against the belief that things in this world have some sort of existence independent of their Creator. In other words, they just are. So while I was struggling to find in myself a story that would express the faith I’ve inherited from my patriarch, the image I came up with was a little guy drinking coffee in a soul-crushingly boring little diner where the prevalent philosophy is that the lights are “just on,” and somehow trying to become aware of the possibility that there must be somebody who’s keeping them on.

Anyway, on a different note, is there anybody who can tell me what the actual deal is with the lights being on all night?

Topics: Divine Providence, Lech-Lecha

By Dovid Taub

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March 27, 2012

Electric Company's

Up all Night? Blind because there's no light on? Call the Man, that no one knows, and get a friend in High Places. He may be in a Close Coffee Shop.

Anonymous
Castro Valley, Ca/USA

November 19, 2011

AWESOME

absoluely, totally, and 100% amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can u please make more??!!?!?

Anonymous
albany , NY
lubavitchindiana.com

November 9, 2011

answer to Sam

ONE: Your question is a good one and has been answered by Chazal: The reason that G-d created poor people is so that we Jews should be loving, kind and give tzedaka.

TWO: The next obvious question is, very nice, but why do these people have to suffer? The answer is that each of us has his purpose in life, his trial and his test. Our success in life is how well we do with the tools that we have been given. The rich man could succeed or fail miserably though pride, stingyness, lack of devotion to H-shem, and also dishonesty.

The poor man could reach very high levels of closeness to H-shem through his prayers, and by being happy with his lot, and could reach levels that he never would have reached had he been rich. G-d know what's best for each of us. And it says that if the rich man does fulfil his purpose and succeed, and likewise the poor man, each receives his reward in the next world, but the poor man receives double because he had a harder test.

Hatzlacha!

Shoshana
Jerusalem, Israel

November 3, 2011

Lights on!

Aw me the forever defender of the small and the weak who have no one except G-d to complain to. All work is honorable but some work is more honorable than other work Some work is paid at very high wage levels while other work barely covers the roof over thier heads and food on the table
The famalies of workers at the bottom rung
suffer as well as express need for a few matireal things. both of which they don't get or perhaps little of. if any.
My question to G-d is why. Why should these inequalities exsist ? I would rather pray at a Shul where everyone is well off than at a poverty stricken one.
I rationalize my ability to be the one that arrives early in the morning at my office, drinks a cup of Columbian coffee, and hang my Armani jacket in my work space.
by reminding myself I must do a mitzvah as eraly as possible. Later, I reflect on a greater good i may do to honor Hashem.
A feeling may come over me that assures me I am a descent man, one who loves Torah, learning and livin

Sam
Castro Valley, USA

November 1, 2011

We need more!!!

Please Chabad.org, we need more stick figure vignettes from Dovid Taub!

Thanks.

Sam
New York, NY

November 1, 2011

Very Illuminating

Wow! I absolutely loved this vignette. What a powerful way to succinctly convey the essence of what it means to be a Jew, on the collective, as well as the individual level, It is well-timed as we think about lech lecha. The wisdom tradition that embraces questions is one that realizes the ripple effect of women and men having their own "lightbulb moments" which, I believe, is the birthplace of the mitzvahs that advance the mandate of Tikkun Olam. One need not look far for evidence of the positive impact Jews have had and have in almost every arena*, despite facing venemous reactions by many who are uncomfortable with uncertainty and its child--change! Well done, if I may say so, Rabbi Taub!! *Note: This statement is not meant to exclude the many non Jewish individuals and wisdom traditions who are lifelong seekers to--and for--questions to ask and ways to respond to those questions, answered and un

Rorie Heart
Houston, TX, USA

September 13, 2011

PLEASE

B''H
Okay this videos are amazing but there are just a few please make more.

Todah Rabbah

Anonymous
palm beach, fl

September 5, 2011

the skyline man; lights being on all night??

elul 5771 this anticipates, and illustrates, that after some, 'darkness', 'the' Light, Comes. toda raba

Anonymous
atlanta

November 9, 2010

skyline man-answer to Sam

These people doing what you call menial work are not leading meaningless lives. They are supporting their familes who certainly recognize them and they have friends and a whole life outside of their work. They are also making it possible for the daytime workers to do their jobs. They are really making the world a better and cleaner place for all of us, and we should be grateful to them. My children once had a book called "People Who Work at Night" exactly on this topic. And they are probably very thankful to have a job at all, with the high rate of unemployment.
Also, a man can spend his life peeling potatoes while reflecting on the greatness of G-d Who created them, water-proof under the ground, with such a thin skin, & come to a closeness and love of G-d that many of us may never reach. Meaning in life is not measured by how much fame and recognition we have, but by what we truly accomplish in spirituality. G-d doesn't care if you sweep floors or are a computer expert.

Shoshanah
Yerushalayim, Israel

October 11, 2010

lights on at night

Maybe the one cleaning at night is thinking, sure glad no one is around to bug me. This job is a blessing - job, peaceful atmosphere without the pressure of the business world. No headaches, no gossip aroung the water cooler, no Type A's ...benefits are pretty good and hey, a lot of the suits are sitting home unable to sleep afraid they will lose their jobs, or got their pink slip and no job in sight, not even cleaning where at least here there are medical benefits. oh, its 4am, lunch time and think I'll read some Torah!

Zoey
Syracuse, NY

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