Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Lawyers do not deserve the low trust and esteem they seem to garner from the public. The overwhelming majority are honorable and honest. The case of Mordecai Levi is a good example. Mordecai Levi wanted to "take it with him". He wanted to carry all his cash into the next world. For a long time he struggled with the dilemma of how to realize his dream. Unfortunately he knew of no single individual he could trust to carry out his wish. Finally he thought of an idea that could be foolproof. He instructed his attorney that the money was to be divided into three sums and that he, Mordecai's doctor, and his rabbi were to bring the money and toss it into the grave when the time came. Each of the three men were to check on each other, thus there would be less of a chance that one would be tempted to cheat. Eventually the time came and, as promised all three men attended the burial ceremony. Each was carrying a voluminous package. Each of the three knew that the other's package contained Mr. Levi's cash. One by one they tossed their parcel into the grave and walked away together without speaking. Finally, outside the cemetery, the rabbi was the first to break the silence: "In spite of the fact that Mordecai was my friend and I respected him, I could not in good conscience allow all that cash to go for naught. So I removed some in order to help alleviate the poverty in our neighborhood". "Wrong as it may be", said the distraught rabbi, "I don't think that Mordecai will miss it". Upon hearing this, the doctor gave a sigh of relief. "My conscience has bothered me for a long time" said the good doctor. "But I too could not see the point of throwing money into the ground, so I held 50% of the cash in order to build a children's wing at the hospital where I work". The lawyer was incensed. "Shame on you, shame on you all" he exclaimed as the trio was walking out of the cemetery. "You know very well that the will and testament of the deceased is sacred and should not be violated". With that he added: "Take me for instance, I wrote him a check for the entire amount". (Author unknown) P.S. I would like to assure all that the above was contributed in good natured teasing among LUG comrades (lawyers included) and is not intended as an affront to the legal profession. Joseph