The Ragamuffin Gospel

Several years before his death a remarkable rabbi, Abraham Joshua Heschel, suffered a near – fatal heart attack. His closest friend was at his bedside. Heschel was so weak he was only able to whisper:

“Sam. I feel only gratitude for my life, for every moment I have lived.
I am ready to go. I have seen so many miracles during my lifetime.”

The old rabbi was exhausted by his effort to speak. After a long pause he said,

“Sam, never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or
power or fame. I asked for wonder and he gave it to me.”