A note from our President: Diann Bank was so much a part of the St. Louis storytelling world. I attended and told stories at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for years and she was always there with her big smile and open arms and heart. She often emceed the closing concert which was a treat for all. Everyone loved Diann and we miss her presence
now and forever.
Chabad.org, like many Jewish print and online publishers, is particular to not spell out the name of our Creator, even in English. Rather, we write "G-d." Here's why: Following the Torah's instruction to "obliterate the name" of idolatry in the Land of Israel, the Torah warns us not to the same to G-d. We thus learn that there is a prohibition to erase G-d's name. Writing G-d's name could lead to erasing or disrespecting G-d's name, as will be discussed.
G-d’s Dilemma
As Retold by Storyteller, Diann Joy BankFrom her Book, A Pot of Mitzvot: 18 Jewish Folktales
G-d had a big dilemma when he created the first human being, Adam. He wanted to get it right the first time. After all, his next project was to create Eve to help advise Adam; and he knew she was going to be much more complicated. In the Garden of Eden, G-d was ready to fill the human heart with simcha--joy, so humans could perform mitzvot-- good deeds.
The angels were puzzled. “G-d, how will your humans, Adam and Eve, know how to hold on to the joy in their hearts?” the angels asked. G-d said delightfully, “I have a magnificent plan! It is a great mitzvah—good deed--to always be in a state of happiness. When my humans are happy, they are much more capable of serving me with joy!”
The angels sighed and said to each other, “Ahhh! G-d has such high expectations of the humans he’s creating for the world.”
“We’re listening G-d. Tell us your plan,” the angels inquired.G-d smiled and said, “MMMM! I will create their nostrils to give humans the breath of life. I will teach the nostrils to only breathe in the sweetness of life. There’s the aroma of my flowers, the smell of fresh rain, and the sweet smell of a newborn’s skin. Then they will fill their hearts with joy.” And the nostrils agreed.
“MMMM, “G-d said, “Now I will create their eyes and teach them to only see the beauty I have created in the garden. Adam and Eve will look for the good in each other. They will fill their hearts with joy.” And the eyes agreed.
“MMMM, finally, I will create ears and teach their ears to listen to the beautiful singing of the birds in the garden. They will only listen to hear ‘good’. They will fill their hearts with joy.” And the ears agreed.
“MMMM, next I will create their mouth and teach them to only speak the truth and say kind words. Then the truth and kind words can fill their hearts with joy.” And the mouths agreed.
“My humans will give thanks to me and honor the gifts I’ve given them. They will sing up to the heavens and fill their hearts with joy!” G-d said smiling. “They will learn that the highest mitzvah is to feel joy in their hearts every day.” The nostrils, the eyes, the ears, and the mouth all agreed and the angels applauded!
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