Tribute to R. Dovid Zeller

Recently, Rav Dovid Zeller, a disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, died. This is a great story from Shlomo Katz. Pebble to Heichal HaNegina via JewishBlogging.com.

One of my absolutely favorite stories about R. Dovid is one I heard several years ago from Rebbe Mordechai DovBer Twerski Shlita, the Hornosteipel Rebbe. It goes something like this:

A well-known Shinto priest from the Far East was visiting America, and [before he became a religious Jew] Dovid went [somewhere in the southwestern US] to see him, and to learn from him. After hearing an inspiring lecture, the priest remained with whomever wished to talk to him privately or ask questions. When the priest [P] saw Dovid [D], he asked him what was his religion of origin. Then the following [approximate] dialog took place:

D: Oh, I’m Jewish.

P: Jewish people – very important for whole world.

D: Huh? What’s that? Why are they so important???

P: Yeah, Jewish People – they responsible for whole world.

D: Wow, really? Well, if there so important, why don’t you become Jewish then?

P: ’Cause I don’t wanna be responsible for whole world.