The old Rabbi

An old Rabbi who once asked his disciples how they could tell when the night had ended and the day began. The disciples thoughtfully considered the Rabbi’s question.

“Could it be,” asked one student, “when you see an animal in the distance and can tell whether it’s a sheep or a dog?”

“No,” replied the Rabbi.

“Could it be,” another asked, “when you look at a tree in the distance and can tell whether it is a fig tree or a peach tree?”

“No,” said the Rabbi again.

“Well then, when is it?” his pupils demanded to know.

“It is when you can look at the face of any man or any woman and see that he is your brother or she is your sister. Because if you cannot do this, then no matter what time it is, it is still night.”