We all think we know why we do things.
We drive cars to get from point A to point B, we drink coffee to get some caffeine in our system, we go to the barber shop to get a haircut, and we go to the grocery to buy groceries.
Well, thatās what we thought last Thursday morning when we ran out of minutes on our pay-as-you-go Jamaican cell phone. We had to go to the store to get a refill card, and thatās exactly what we did. But thatās not why we went to the supermarket.
You see, as we were walking around looking out for some essentials, a man approached us. A conversation ensued. Here is a rough transcript:
Our new friend: Hi.
Us: Hi, how are you?
ONF: Fine thank you. What brings you guys to the island?
Us: We came to visit the local Jewish community.
ONF: Oh, nice! I know many Jews hereā¦ I actually come from Jews myself, but Iām not Jewish.
Us: Really? Wow! Nice! Was your father Jewish, or was it your mother that was a Jew?
ONF: Neither. My great-grandmother.
Us: From which side?
ONF: My grandmother.
Us: Whose mother?
ONF: My mother.
Us: Well then, let me share with you some news: You are a Jew.
ONF (with a hint of confusion on his face): No, Iām not.
Us: You sure are. If your motherās motherās mother was a Jew, then you are 100 percent Jewish. As Jewish as Moses and Sandy Koufax.
ONF: I seeĀ .Ā .Ā . Thatās interestingĀ .Ā .Ā . Okay, guys, have a nice day. Nice meeting you.
Us: Umm, not so quickly. In fact, you are the reason we came to the supermarket!
ONF (puzzled): Really?! ButĀ .Ā .Ā . you didnāt even know I existed?!
Two days later, after a warm schmooze over some very cold water, we celebrated Earlās bar mitzvah at his home! It was a very emotional moment.
So remind me, why did we go to the supermarket?
