John Bleifer: Isaac Singerman

The Craftsman

Isaac Singerman

Albert Quinn Ingalls: How come you lit those candles, Mr. Singerman?
Isaac Singerman: The flame represents God's light. On the Sabbath, we ask God to come into our lives, and illuminate the darkness we live in.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Yeah... well, I'm not too sure about God, myself.
Isaac Singerman: Why? You don't believe in Him?
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Oh, I believe He's up there, just I've been kind of mad at Him lately.
Isaac Singerman: Mad at God? Why?
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Well, because He lets bad things happen.
Isaac Singerman: Albert, don't blame the Almighty for all the evil men do. God gives us the freedom to choose between good and evil; is it His fault if some people choose to follow the evil?
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Reckon I never thought of it that way. Some things are so hard to understand.

Albert Quinn Ingalls: How come we stopped working on the cabinet?
Isaac Singerman: I just received an urgent order for a new coffin.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: From the Mercantile?
Isaac Singerman: No, Dr. Baker is going to lose one of his patients. That's why we bring cut lumber from your father; it will save time. And in this case, time is important.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Did the doc say who was dying?
Isaac Singerman: No, he wouldn't tell me. He only said it is a very wonderful person.

Isaac Singerman: [on his deathbed] Soon, I will be in very good company.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: It isn't fair.
Isaac Singerman: It is fair. A man shouldn't be a schnorrer with life, either. I've had many good years; my body is tired, it's enough.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: But you aren't going to be here anymore.
Isaac Singerman: Albert, the time I leave behind has nothing to do with me. It isn't mine, just like the time before I was born wasn't mine. Remember I told you if human beings keep asking questions, then there must be answers? Well, now I go where I will find some of those answers, you know. Now, we still have work to do with you.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: But I want to stay with you.
Isaac Singerman: No, a craftsman doesn't leave a job half-finished. I'm depending on you, Albert. You must finish our work; it's for a very nice person, remember?

Albert Quinn Ingalls: [as the pair leave Mr. Brower's house, where Mr. Singerman gave him his cane in exchange for an old bucket] I don't get it. How come you traded him that great walking stick for this piece of junk?
Isaac Singerman: [chuckles] Albert, there's a Jewish word, "rachmones"; in English, it means "compassion". Life without rachmones is not worth living. He's a poor man, he needs a new walking stick.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Then why didn't you just give it to him? Why trade it for a rusty old bucket?
Isaac Singerman: Because our faith says, "When you give charity, you must give so the person receiving the charity feels no shame".

Isaac Singerman: [planting an acorn to replace the tree which had been cut down for his latest project] Albert, a craftsman must strive not to be a schnorrer. A schnorrer is someone who takes and takes, and never gives back. God provided us with trees for our livelihood, so we must plant some in return.
[suddenly clutches his chest]
Albert Quinn Ingalls: [concerned] Mr. Singerman, are you all right?
Isaac Singerman: Yes, yes. I'll be all right; I'm fine.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Are you sure?
Isaac Singerman: [still wincing with discomfort] I'm fine, all I need is some rest. You should be getting home now.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Maybe I should walk back to your place with you.
Isaac Singerman: Nonsense. I'm fine, except for the fact that you're standing on my foot!
Albert Quinn Ingalls: [backs up] Oh, sorry.
Isaac Singerman: [smiles] Go home now. I'll see you tomorrow.
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Okay. See you tomorrow.

Isaac Singerman: Time means nothing. Praise means nothing. Competing with others means nothing. What matters is only the task in front of you; you must give it everything. Everything!

Brower: [thrashing his cane at a boy who just hit him in the head with a ball, eventually breaking the cane while doing so, then grabbing the boy] I'm gonna thrash you within an inch of your life, you little scamp, you!
Isaac Singerman: Calm down, Mr. Brower, calm down! What are you getting so excited about?
Brower: You see what he done? The little varmint made me break my cane!
Isaac Singerman: So? A new cane, you can always get. But the little boy, you're frightening him!
Brower: He deserves it! He's got no respect!
Isaac Singerman: Come on, Mr. Brower. When you were a boy, you never made mischief? Please let him go. Even the Holy Book says, "If you must beat a child, use a string".
Brower: [pondering what Mr. Singerman has just told him] All right, this time.
[releases the boy, who steps on his foot, then runs off, causing him to cry out in pain]
Isaac Singerman: [angrily] Hooligan! Bum! Come back here!
[to Mr. Brower]
Isaac Singerman: You were a hundred percent right!
Brower: You bet I was!
Isaac Singerman: [makes a "whipping" gesture] If you catch that bum again, give him a good crack for me!

Albert Quinn Ingalls: [admiring Mr. Singerman's chisel] Boy, I sure could have used that when I was carving.
Isaac Singerman: [surprised] You work with wood?
Albert Quinn Ingalls: Not really, I just whittle some.
Isaac Singerman: Can I see what you made?
Albert Quinn Ingalls: [looking slightly embarrassed] Well... you might laugh.
Isaac Singerman: Why? Does it tell jokes?
[both chuckle]
Isaac Singerman: Albert, never be ashamed of any work you've done, only of what you haven't done.

Isaac Singerman: Your face tells me that you either have bad news for me, or you're suffering from indigestion. Which is it?
Dr. Hiram Baker: Your heart's in very bad shape, Isaac.
Isaac Singerman: So? This I know for a long time.
Dr. Hiram Baker: But it's gotten worse. You've got to stop exerting yourself, quit working.
Isaac Singerman: Quit working? Better I should eat a pork chop!