Parable of the Magic Chicken
I'm not a big purveyor of parables, but somehow the style seems particularly apt here. (H/T II Samuel 12 , Natan's rebuke of David. Also inspired by my friend Rabbi Natan Slifkin's post .) * * * A person comes to seek the counsel of an esteemed rabbinic leader: "Rabbi, a holy man in our community has been selling chickens. He guarantees that if you buy one of his chickens, it will lay enough eggs to feed your entire household and then some. He also says that it will only work if you do not purchase any other food , because that shows a lack of faith. In fact, he warns that if you do purchase other food, or worse, if you don't buy one of his chickens, your family will be be condemned to poverty. People are buying the chickens in droves. Some because they believe the holy man's promise. Others out of fear, because they don't want to be ostracized by their friends, neighbors, and community if they are seen bringing additional food into their ho...