"Have you ever been in the company of someone who lavishly extolled the virtues of a muffin?" ask s Mendel Sternhull. "Then you didn't have the pleasure of accompanying Shlomo Carlebach to a coffeeshop for breakfast!

"We were in a small, dingy restaurant, presided over by a sour-looking cook/proprietress, who doubled as waitress as well. I am not usually aware of or affected by other people's looks, but this woman was so unusually homely, almost offensive looking, it was hard not to notice. Her attitude was unpleasant as well. She served our order of muffins and coffee with a brusque manner that bordered on the rude, and frankly, I was relieved when she left our table to return to the counter. After one taste of the muffin, however, Shlomo waved her back.

"'Yes?' she asked sullenly, her hand on her hip in a confrontational stance, braced for trouble.

"'My most beautiful friend,' Shlomo said gently. 'Are you by any chance the person who baked this muffin?'

"'Yeah, I am, what about it?' she asked curtly.

"'I just want you to know that this is the most delicious muffin I have ever tasted in my life!'

"A hint of a smile now began to form on the woman's lips.

"'Thanks,' she said, preparing to move away.

"'And I also want you to know… that I have eaten muffins all over the world, but none come close to this one.'

"'Well, thanks again,' she said, less abruptly, her mouth beginning to pucker into a more visible smile, but still obviously itching to return to her place at the counter.

"'And mamash I have to thank you because I was so hungry, and you did me the greatest favor in the world by so expertly baking this muffin, which is surely a Taste of the World to Come!'

"'Well, gee, thanks a lot,' she said, smiling broadly, now firmly rooted to the spot. 'It's very nice of you to say. Most people never comment when the food is good; you only hear from them when that have a complaint!'

"Oh, but no one could ever complain about your food; gevalt it has to be the greatest in the world. Tell me, what special ingredients do you put into this muffin to make it so delicious?'

"By now, the surely woman had actually begun to beam, and she launched into an extensive discussion of her cooking and baking techniques. Shlomo listened intently, and when she had finished, continued to heap her with accolades. He was very specific with his compliments too; the muffin's texture was not only light and airy, it was buttery and fragrant as well, and she had expertly warmed it to jus the right temperature. As I listened mingled amusement and astonishment to the great spiritual leader sing a virtual paean to a muffin, I turned to look at the woman. Up until now, my eyes had been fastened on Shlomo, and I hadn't noticed the change that had swept over the woman. When I turned to gaze at her, I was taken aback. "The homely woman was no more. A few minutes with Shlomo had done the trick. She was transformed. She had become beautiful.

"From Shlomo, I learned many things, but foremost among them was hakoras hatov (acknowledging the good) and how to give compliments. And maybe one day, if I really work hard at my growth and have the zchus (merit) to evolve to a certain level, I'll also be able to acquire Shlomo's blessed ability - to sing hymns to muffins and make people beautiful."

This story has been taken from Yitta Halberstam Mandelbaum's beautiful book Holy Brother Inspiring Stories and Enchanted Tales about Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. page 138

If you have not seen this book - I have to tell you how many times it has saved my life. Someone once asked me for a good introduction to Judaism - and this is the book I gave them.

Rebbitzin Yitta - I took the story without permission - not because I don't want to give you full credit - your books are really saving the world - but because you should know how much to world owes you!