There was once a wise old rabbi who asked his students, “How can you know the exact moment when night ends and day begins?”
“I think I know,” said one of his pupils. “Is it when, from a great distance, you can tell a dog from a sheep?”
“No,” said the rabbi.
“I know,” said another. “It must be when, from a distance, you can tell a date palm from a fig tree.”
“No,” said the rabbi.
His students looked at each other and then at the rabbi. “We don’t know,” they said. “Please tell us.”
And the rabbi replied, “It is when you look into the face of any person from any nation…
…man…
…or woman…
…Jew or gentile…
…and see your brother…
…or your sister.”
”And that is the blessed moment,” said the rabbi, “when the dawn is come.”
c2014NaomiBaltuck
Click here for more interpretations of The Weekly Photo Challenge: Nighttime.
Beautiful!
By: Elyse on October 2, 2014
at 11:41 pm
Hi Elyse,
Thank you so much for the visit, and for your kind response.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:00 pm
Lovely sentiment–hope that dawn is coming for the world!
By: walkingpapers on October 3, 2014
at 12:05 am
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I hope so too!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:02 pm
Marvelous story and illustrations. I will be singing to greet that morning!
By: scillagrace on October 3, 2014
at 12:38 am
Dear, Scilla, I will be singing in harmony with you on that wonderful morning!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:03 pm
The dogs took a vote and they think the first answer was the right one!
Nancy
By: dogear6 on October 3, 2014
at 12:42 am
Dear Nancy,
Thank the pups for making me smile!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:05 pm
Observations, in exceptional photography and perceptive writing, are beautiful. Naomi loves humanity.
By: raptekar on October 3, 2014
at 1:11 am
Hi Richard,
Thanks so much for your very kind comments. Best wishes for an easy fast and a joyful Yom Kippur. See you soon!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:06 pm
Lovely story and so beautifully illustrated, Naomi. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on October 3, 2014
at 1:21 am
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks so much for the visit and the kind words.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:06 pm
Beautiful!
By: Cathryn Wellner on October 3, 2014
at 2:08 am
Thank you, Cathryn! It is so good to hear from you.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:08 pm
how inspiring – ❤ ❤ ❤
the flow of this post was just so awesome and Naomi I am moved! I also recall a story from a rabbi- and he told the complaining man "could be worse" and then different things unfolded to show the man that what he has can be appreciated when you really know it could be worse…
anyhow, I am so glad I was able to drop by for another flowing post – peace 🙂
By: prior on October 3, 2014
at 3:03 am
So beautiful! And, the photos complemented the story perfectly! Thank you!
By: Renate Flynn on October 3, 2014
at 3:06 am
Thank you for a loving lesson!!
By: storytellermary on October 3, 2014
at 4:20 am
Dear Mary,
Thank you so much for your warmth and positive energy that you always manage to communicate like magic through the blogosphere.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:10 pm
Most welcome. You are a lovely presence in my life. ❤ BTW, I take Crazy Gibberish with me when speaking to preschool teachers.
By: storytellermary on October 3, 2014
at 4:01 pm
That is so good to know, Mary, on both counts! Thanks so much being a lovely presence in my life too!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 9:39 pm
Once again, I am misty eyed. I love the picture of your son sitting on the bench between the 2 men! It makes me want to know what they are talking about.
By: Naomi on October 3, 2014
at 10:41 am
Dear Naomi,
Every picture tells a story! Eli and I were in Turkey and got separated–I think when I stopped to take some photos in a crowd and he didn’t realize it and kept going. I walked toward the market, our original destination, with my eyes peeled for the lad. I stopped to ask policemen the way, afraid that I might never find him. And then I looked across the street and there he was, chatting like best friends with the two old guys who were sitting on the bench watching the world go by. Apparently Eli went by looking a little lost. They spoke little English and he spoke even less Turkish, but it was so sweet to watch them communicate as best they could, practicing their language and sharing such obvious goodwill. I couldn’t help but snap a photo to help me remember that sweet moment.
Thank you, as always, for your kind response and thoughtful comment.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:19 pm
This one makes my heart shout YES!!! Would that we could all learn to tell dark from dawn.
By: Carol on October 3, 2014
at 11:23 am
Thank you, Carol! You helped me start my day with a big smile! I am eagerly waiting for this dawn with my face pressed against the window!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:20 pm
Fabulous. Perfect for this ere of Yom Kippur. Thanks for sharing.
By: cyclingrandma on October 3, 2014
at 11:27 am
Thank you, Lisa! I had that in mind when I put this post together. The rabbi at Stanford asked Bea to tell the story of Jonah to the whole campus congregation. She Skyped me to practice, and I am so proud of her and eager to hear all about it! Best wishes for an easy fast. Shalom.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:24 pm
[…] Turning Night Into Day. Reblogged from Naomi Baltuck. […]
By: Turning Night Into Day | cyclingrandma on October 3, 2014
at 11:30 am
This is stunning — thanks to Lisa at cycling grandma, I found my way here this morning.
By: Louise Gallagher on October 3, 2014
at 1:43 pm
Hi Louise,
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your generous response. I wandered over to your blog and took a gander, and was very impressed. I look forward to reading more of it.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 4, 2014
at 5:53 am
Such wonderful words of wisdom and perfect pictures to illustrate them. Why, when the truth is so simple and beautiful, should the world be so full of complexity and violence?
By: Sarah Potter Writes on October 3, 2014
at 2:25 pm
A good thought to keep in mind…
By: morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer on October 3, 2014
at 2:39 pm
Lovely thoughts Naomi and some heart-warming pictures there. You would hope that love will always overcome hate but I wonder if that will ever prove true worldwide? I wonder if in fact humans are genetically programmed so as to be incapable of seeing other nations and religions as brother & sister? It’s a bleak view I know.
By: Roy McCarthy on October 3, 2014
at 3:02 pm
I know, Roy, and sometimes I get so discouraged, but we can at least start one person at a time.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 3, 2014
at 3:04 pm
Wonderful and perfect for erev Yom Kippur. Thank you. Found you via Reb Shimon.
By: burner on October 4, 2014
at 12:15 am
Thank you for the visit and for your kind words. So glad to have met you. Best wishes on this special night.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 4, 2014
at 6:09 am
Great story, Naomi and , as ever, your photos are a perfect match. Will tell it to the tour group I’m with.
By: Meg on October 4, 2014
at 4:40 am
Wonderful! So good to hear from you, Meg. I’ve been hoping to get news! Take lots of photos!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 4, 2014
at 5:32 am
Hi Naomi . Got into the wifi at the hotel at last. It is San Gimignano and 13th century! Good to read your blog and catch up on mail. About 5 people on the tour that share me sense of humour. It is a lesson in world politics for sure so that story is perfect. Enjoying Tuscany. Love Meg
iPhoned
>
By: Meg on October 4, 2014
at 5:01 am
Dear Meg,
I recall being quite charmed by San Gimignano! All those towers…all that gelato! It sounds like you have met some good people too. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Love,
Naomi
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 4, 2014
at 5:34 am
Beautiful Philosophy. Far more meaningful than many of the myths and superstitions that we associate with religion.
By: bestofbarbara on October 4, 2014
at 12:42 pm
Reblogged this on T. W. Dittmer and commented:
Truth in this, and a ray of hope. A distant hope, because so many make their living (and a very good living, at that) keeping us in the dark.
By: T. W. Dittmer on October 4, 2014
at 2:01 pm
Lovely piece! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
By: Kat on October 4, 2014
at 3:27 pm
Reblogged this on The BUTHIDARS and commented:
Though I would not normally post anything based on religion here, this I could not resist.
By: davidprosser on October 4, 2014
at 4:18 pm
Really lovely Naomi! Sue
Womenlivinglifeafter50.com
By: sue marquis bishop on October 4, 2014
at 9:34 pm
Absolutely fantastic, Naomi 😀
By: diannegray on October 4, 2014
at 10:27 pm
So beautiful!!! I love this!!
By: the dune mouse (CybeleMoon) on October 5, 2014
at 2:56 am
Thank you, Cybele!
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 5, 2014
at 4:18 am
Ahhhhhhh.
By: AareneX on October 6, 2014
at 7:45 pm
Thanks for the visit, Aarene! Loved my virtual trip to Haiku Farm. Is there a way to sign up for e-mail notifications so that I know when you have posted?
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 13, 2014
at 5:49 pm
Bravo! Oh how this touches my heart, Naomi.
By: Jamie Dedes on October 8, 2014
at 3:27 am
Dear Jamie,
I have had quite a few house guests, hosted a family reunion, and had kids to launch back to school. We had a lot to do before sending Eli off to Turkey to teach. I have fallen behind in my blogging–again. it feels good to step out of the current and take the time to post. I am always so glad to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your kind response.
By: Naomi Baltuck on October 13, 2014
at 5:57 pm
Love this, Naomi! So beautiful…
By: Jill Weatherholt on October 9, 2014
at 12:28 pm
Dear Jill,
Just taking a wander through the older posts and found your smiling face here–thanks so much for your kind encouragement.
By: Naomi Baltuck on February 17, 2015
at 5:41 am
Wonderful! I am so glad I found my way here today.
By: Ann Koplow on October 11, 2014
at 2:32 pm
beautiful ♥
By: stuffitellmysister on October 13, 2014
at 2:44 pm
Wow, what a wonderful story, Naomi! Thank you for warming my heart 🙂
By: kathy on October 13, 2014
at 6:11 pm
What a heartwarming story Naomi! Wishing that dawn of amity on the entire world.
By: Madhu on October 16, 2014
at 8:29 am
Ah, Naomi. You are a deep pool of beauty, insight, and openness.Thank you.
By: Mary on October 17, 2014
at 4:48 am
This is a great lesson, and so beautifully illustrated. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on October 20, 2014
at 5:49 pm
Love every bit of this post. It teaches us to see beyond color, culture, ethnicity, social status, gender and many more difference and indifference. We are truly blessed when we see in others goodness and that we see and treat them as brothers and sisters, as a family, as a community. A treasured lesson to keep and cherish for all. Thank you. God bless you and your amazing family always.
By: Island Traveler on October 29, 2014
at 7:36 am
[…] Turning Night Into Day @ Writing Between the Lines […]
By: A Selection of Great Blog Posts October 2014 | Consumed by Ink on November 1, 2014
at 8:05 pm