The Sufis and Buddhists aren't the only ones with folk-tales of "crazy wisdom" - the Jewish Hasidim have their own storehouse of eye-opening tales. This one is taken from Rabbi Rami Shapiro's Hasidic Tales, and fits this Saturday's theme:
Reb Monye Monissohn, a wealthy diamond merchant, went to visit his rebbe, Reb Shalom Ber of Lubavitch. Reb Monye was eager to show some of the diamonds he had recently purchased in the hope of getting a blessing for the success of his business. The rebbe seemed more interested in extolling the praises of certain common labourers who Reb Monye had criticized for their lack of learning.
"Rebbe," the merchant said at last, "I just do not see what you see in those people. They are illiterate boors."
"In fact, Reb Monye," the rebbe replied, "each of them has many honourable traits."
"Maybe so, rebbe, but I for one cannot see them."
The rebbe sat silently for a few moments. "Nu - Reb Monye, show me your new diamonds."
Reb Monye eagerly untied a velvet sack and spread a glittering pool of diamonds on the rebbe's desk. He lifted up one diamond in particular, holding it up to the light streaming in through the window. "This one is especially fine, Rebbe."
"I see nothing special in it," Rebbe Shalom Ber said.
"I would not expect you to, Rebbe. One must be a connoisseur of gems to see what makes each worthy of such praise."
"Every person is also a gem, ny dear Reb Monye," the rebbe said. "And just as with your diamonds, you must be a connoisseur to see them truly."
What exactly did Rebbe Ber mean by that? A connoisseur of what, exactly? And how does this post relate to this Saturday's theme zen poem?
On his next visit, Reb Monye Monissohn brought diamonds mixed with pebbles. He offerred a gem stone as a gift to his Rebbe and selected one of the pebbles...