While Having Lunch with my Son

Sitting in a restaurant having lunch with my son recently, near a Metro stop, I noticed that most people walked by and ignored the Green Peace activists who were attempting to hand out their literature. I told my son that after we finished eating lunch, I was going to go and speak with them since it seemed that no one was giving them the time of day.

He told me that I shouldn’t waste my time on this, but instead could use my time better by studying Torah.

I explained that just that morning I had taught in our Wednesday morning Pirke Avot class the verse which says, “Always greet your fellow human beings with a friendly countenance.” By speaking to them, I was going to fulfill the mitzvah I had just taught earlier in the day.