Moshe spent the week looking unsuccessfully around north London for a place to live. Now it was erev shabbos and he is alone in a strange town. He finds the local shul and after services explains his predicament to the shammas. Within minutes, Jacob comes over and invites him to be his shabbos guest.
At Jacob's house, Moshe is given towels and aromatic soap and then shown to the bathroom. After a soothing hot bath, he dries himself on the soft fluffy towel, gets dressed and joins Jacob and his wife for a delicious meal. He is then shown to his bedroom where he immediately falls asleep.
The same kindness is shown to Moshe the next day. On Sunday it's time to leave and Moshe tells Jacob, "This was a lovely shabbos. How can I ever repay you?"
"By paying me," replies Jacob and gives Moshe an invoice for: -
1 hot bath,
1 bar of aromatic soap,
2 clean towels,
1 full shabbos dinner,
3 glasses shabbos wine,
2 nights lodging (bed & breakfast),
Fresh sheets,
1 shabbos lunch, and
1 afternoon tea.
---------------------------------------
TOTAL $75.00
"You're charging me?" asks Moshe.
"I certainly am."
"I didn't ask you to take me in - you invited me. It's outrageous."
"Even so, please pay the bill."
" But this is wrong!"
"OK," sighs Jacob, "let's not argue. We'll go to my Rabbi and let him decide."
"That's OK with me," says Moshe.
As the Rabbi listens to their arguments, he strokes his beard and says, "Based on numerous Talmudic precedents and on my opinion of the situation, it's my decision that Moshe should pay the bill."
Moshe couldn't believe his ears. It made no sense at all. But a decision had been made and so, as soon as they left the Rabbi, Moshe hands Jacob the money he owes.
"What's this for?" asks Jacob.
"It's what I owe you."
"Don't be meshugah. Keep it. It was a pleasure to have you with us. Please come again."
Moshe is confused. "But you gave me your invoice, we argued, we went to the Rabbi, he made a decision!"
"My dear Moshe," says Jacob smiling, "I was pulling your leg. I just wanted you to see what kind of schmuck we have for a Rabbi."
Read all jokes from:Jewish (+6998)
