From Maimonides' 13 Principles: The mission of perfecting the world is entirely in our hands.

by Aish.com Staff

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Vocals and piano by Sam Glaser

Story: The Butterfly

There was once a very wise rabbi who could answer all questions. One of his students, a precocious young boy, wanted to prove to the class that the esteemed rabbi was not so smart after all. He thought of a foolproof plan.

He would catch a butterfly and hold it in his hands behind his back. If the rabbi would guess what it was, then the boy would ask, "Is it alive or dead?" If the rabbi would say, "It's alive," the boy would close his fist and crush it; if the rabbi would say, "It's dead," he would open his hands and set it free. Either way the rabbi would surely be wrong!

Excited with this plan the young boy approached his teacher, holding his hands behind his back. "Rabbi, being that you are so wise you surely know what I have behind my back!"

"Indeed I do," said the rabbi. "You have a butterfly."

"Yes," said the boy. "But can you tell me if it is alive or dead?" he asked, smiling devilishly. "Ha Ha!" thought the boy, "I finally got him!"

The wise rabbi thought for a while and then answered, "It's all in your hands."

The mission of the Jewish people is Tikkun Olam -- working at bringing the world to perfection, a world worthy of the coming of the Messiah. Far from being a statement of passivity, it's up to us to make it happen. When and how is entirely in our hands.

Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2004

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Visitor Comments: 6

  • (6) Chanie Luz , April 17, 2009

    Credit the composer: Motty Parnes

    Aish is an amazing site ! Very uplifting and inspiring . Please add the due credit to my cousin, Motty Parne, who composed this now-classic tune to "Ani Maamin". The source is in the Negina - Pirchai Agudat Yisrael record from 1969.

  • (5) eugenia mateescu , September 28, 2007

    thank-yoy for this music....it is music of my soul...

  • (4) EfraimTorres , December 25, 2006

    Blessed with the gift of hope and faith in Ha`shem

    Thank you so much for these articles and music,brings me to that place where only simcha and shalom can be in perfection with the Ruach Ha kodesh of Hashem.Baruch Hashem,shalom be with all involved in this beautiful page.

  • (3) RinahKinder , October 22, 2006

    What a blessing!

    I'm so glad I found you on the web. I enjoy reading your articles, to learn and understand more and more of my ancestors' faith. And how wonderful to find the texts of songs I love and heard on te CD "Yomim ketumim". But as I know only kzat Ivrit and can't read Hebrew without nikkud I wasn't able to learn the texts. Here, now it is possible! Thank you so much!!!

  • (2) EitanDishi , October 18, 2006

    Aish keep the flame going!

    Thank you for so much amazing information i wouldn't have known before and for the beautiful melodies. May you continue to grow and spread Torah! :)

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