Old Friends
On a sunny Shabboth afternoon in Miami Beach, two old friends met
for the first time in years. After exchange of the usual amenities,
as they sat on a beachfront bench, Jacob's expression grew somber,
and he said, "Shmuel, people are telling me you don't go to shul
any more. Can it be true that you no longer believe in G-d?"
Shmuel looked uncomfortable, and hurriedly changed the subject.
The next afternoon, the old friends met on the beach again. "You
must tell me, Shmuel," he said, "Don't you believe in our G-d any
more?"
Shmuel replied, "Here is a straight answer to a straight question.
No, I don't."
Jacob asked, "Why didn't you tell me that yesterday?'
Shmuel, deeply shocked, exclaimed, "G-d forbid - on Shabbat?"