Notes cont.

Hasidic Tales p. 71 - 72

"With the Sinners" 

"The Baal Shem said:  'I let sinners come to me, if they are not proud. I keep the scholars and the sinless away from me if they are proud. For the sinner who knows that he is a sinner, and therefore considers himself base-- G-d is with him, for He "dwelleth with them in the midst of their uncleannesses."  But concerning him who prides himself on the fact that he is unburdened by sin, G-d says, as we know from the Gemara:  "There is not enough room in the world for myself and him."' 

Complete Jewish Bible p.1317 

Luke 18 verses 10-14 (words of Yeshua) 

"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Parush and the other a tax-collector.  The Parush stood and prayed to himself, 'O G-d! I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity-- greedy, dishonest, immoral, or like this tax-collector!  I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on my entire income.'  But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast and said ' G-d! Have mercy on me, sinner that I am!'  I tell you, this man went down to his home right with G-d rather than the other.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted."

Both Judaism and Christianity claim to value humility but religion is a great way to become proud and self-righteous!!!