Q:
The Rov said that a person can be happy on the street just because he sees the clothing in the store windows and the fruit in the fruit bins outside the fruit store. But how could one enjoy the benefits of seeing clothing and fruit if he’s always looking down at the pavement because of pritzus?
A:
I don’t understand the kasheh at all. As you’re walking down the street and looking at the sidewalk, think how good the sidewalk is.
You think it’s a small thing, to think about the cement? First of all, the cement is a sign of emunah. Because for whom did Hashem make cement? Birds don’t use cement. Animals don’t use cement. Germs don’t use cement. Only human beings use cement. So you see the world is made for adam. The world was created for man! We’re the guests for whom everything else is made. So from the cement you see there’s purpose in the world.
We’re in this world to walk on the streets and thank Hashem for the beautiful sidewalks. It’s so comfortable to walk. Otherwise when it’s raining, your feet would sink in the mud. And when it dries up, there’ll be holes in the road – on dried up mud, hard mud, it’s difficult to walk. But now, all year round it’s so pleasant to walk on the street.
The truth is there should be a turnstile every block. It should cost a quarter a block. Drop in a quarter to enjoy another block. Walking is a pleasure on the blocks. Only we get it free of charge. So when you’re walking and looking down at the sidewalk, think, “All this is free!”
Of course you’re paying the taxes for it.
TAPE #E-168 (December 1998)
