Judy (Alexander, my wife) and I wrote the lyrics and I composed the music for this setting. It’s based on a saying by the Chassidic Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshishcha.
Here’s a paraphrase of what he said: Everyone should carry around two slips of paper. One slip says “The world was created for my sake” (a quote from the Talmud). The other slip says “I am but dust and ashes” (from Genesis, when Abraham was trying to convince God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if there were righteous people there).
When you’re feeling nervous and unsure of yourself, take out the first slip for a dose of confidence. When you’re feeling cocky and full of yourself, take out the second slip for a dose of humility. Of course, the tricky part is knowing which slip to take out in a given circumstance!
Performance by Social Band on 11/2/24: