A true story and a joke
About sixty years ago, I went to Yeshiva University in New York where I studied for a year and a half before I transferred to Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore. I had a somewhat outspoken Rebbe at YU.
One day a student entered our class and kissed the mezuzah.
“Why did you do that?” asked the Rebbe.
“Because it’s a mitzvah,” answered the student.
“I know of a greater mitzvah,” said the Rebbe.
“What’s that?” asked the student.
“Circumcision,” he replied.
**
I told the true story to a rabbinical friend. He said he heard a variation of my story:
A Rebbe saw his student walking with his tzitzit hanging out.
“Why are you hanging out your tzitzit?” asked the Rebbe.
“Because it’s a mitzvah,” answered the student.
“I know a greater mitzvah,” said the Rebbe.
“What’s that?” asked the student.
“Circumcision,” he replied.
