Rabbi Israel Salanter travelled a great deal, and whenever he passed a certain town, he stopped at the inn of a certain Reb Yitzchak, who was known to be a pious Jew. One day, being in that district, he went to Reb Yitzchak's inn.
Reb Israel sat down and ordered some food. Suddenly he noticed that there was a non-kosher salami on the counter. Reb Israel always tried to judge every person for the good, so he assumed that the innkeeper had purchased the meat by mistake or had been misled by an unscrupulous supplier.
He gently approached the innkeeper and said, "Reb Yitzchak, I want to make you aware that the salami on the counter isn't kosher."
Reb Israel was shocked when the innkeeper matter of factly replied, "Yes, I know, but I'm not so careful about the laws of kashrut these days."
Reb Israel was amazed. "What has happened to you? You've always been a G-d-fearing man."
The innkeeper went on to explain what had induced him to change his ways. A certain guest at the inn who was a non-believer convinced the unlearned innkeeper that there was no G-d.
"What did this person say to you to convince you of such a terrible falsehood?" Rabbi Israel asked.
"Well, the man took a piece of treif [non-kosher] meat in his hand and said, 'If there really is a G-d who cares what I eat, He will strike me dead when I eat this. But, you'll see that I can eat this salami and nothing will happen to me. That proves that there is no G-d.' And, Rabbi, with my own eyes I saw him eat the salami, and nothing happened! When I saw that he spoke the truth, I began eating treif meat, too, since I saw that what I eat makes no difference to G-d."
Rabbi Israel listened and thought for a while of how to approach this poor, ignorant man. As he sat deep in thought, the daughter of the innkeeper danced into the room waving a piece of paper high in the air.
"Father, Father, look. I was just awarded a certificate for my achievements as a pianist. I'm so happy!" The innkeeper beamed with pride, praising his daughter to everyone.
Reb Israel called the girl to his table and said to her: "I see that you have just received a prestigious certificate for your piano playing. I don't believe you're all that good. I would like you to prove it to me."
The girl was taken aback, and replied, "This certificate is proof of my expertise. I don't have to prove it to everyone who asks!" And she turned on her heels and angrily left the room.
Reb Israel called the innkeeper and said: "Your daughter is very rude. I simply asked her to play for me so I could judge for myself if she really is a competent pianist."
The father was embarrassed by the Rav's comment and he called his daughter back. She faced the rabbi and replied, "You're not being fair. I established my talent at school and I have the certificate to prove it. I certainly shouldn't be required to give a demonstration for anyone who asks."
"So, you see, my good man," the rabbi exclaimed. "Your daughter is clever. G-d could well answer you the same way. After He redeemed us from slavery, split the sea for us, performed countless miracles for us day in and day out, is it necessary for us to require that He prove Himself for every ignoramus like that salami eater who was your guest?"
The words of Reb Israel Salanter convinced the innkeeper, and he repented of his error at once.
