Change

Joke of the Week: Change

The hot dog vendor in Boro Park fixes a hot dog and hands it to the Zen master, who pays with a $20 bill. The hot dog vendor puts the bill in the cash drawer and closes the drawer. The Zen master remains standing, silently, for five minutes.

Finally, the vendor asks him: "How can I help you, sir?"

"Where's my change?" asks the Zen master.

The hot dog vendor responds, "Change must come from within."

And that is the essence of our work during this month of Elul--when we evaluate where we have been and where we want to go. I cannot change you; I cannot change my family, my children, my spouse, the people around me. I can change myself. And then everything will fall into place.