“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Beha’aloscha
18 Sivan 5775/ June 5,
2015
2015
Pirkei Avos – Chapter 2
When I was a student in Fordham University
pursuing my Masters in Social Work, one of my professors recounted an
experience he had witnessed one year on the day of the Fordham graduation. Fordham
Social Work graduates meet outside the university and walk a half block toLincoln Center
are held. That year as they were walking single file, donned in their caps and
gowns, and heads held high, they hardly noticed a beggar sitting on the side of
the street with his hand outstretched soliciting some charity.
pursuing my Masters in Social Work, one of my professors recounted an
experience he had witnessed one year on the day of the Fordham graduation. Fordham
Social Work graduates meet outside the university and walk a half block to
are held. That year as they were walking single file, donned in their caps and
gowns, and heads held high, they hardly noticed a beggar sitting on the side of
the street with his hand outstretched soliciting some charity.
My professor noted the tragic irony of a group of people so
consumed with the joy of graduation in a field dedicated to helping others in
need that they were oblivious to the plight of someone in need.
consumed with the joy of graduation in a field dedicated to helping others in
need that they were oblivious to the plight of someone in need.
We often don’t take the time to internalize the wonderful
things we are involved in. We also don’t always appreciate how much we mean to
others and how much we can do for others just by doing small acts of kindness
and helping others feel validated.
things we are involved in. We also don’t always appreciate how much we mean to
others and how much we can do for others just by doing small acts of kindness
and helping others feel validated.
American author Maya Angelou quipped, “Although people may
not necessarily remember what you said or did, they will always remember how
you made them feel.”
not necessarily remember what you said or did, they will always remember how
you made them feel.”
On the day of my own graduation from Fordham in May 2003, I
too walked with my fellow graduates the half block to Lincoln Center. I was
proud to receive my diploma while I was donned in my cap and gown. After the
event ended, I was walking with my wife and parents towards our car. An
African-American fellow pushing a hand-truck loaded with boxes across the
Manhattan street suddenly collided with the curb. Boxes flew everywhere
prompting a few honks from annoyed and impatient drivers. My father looked at
me, motioned towards the boxes, and said “C’mon, it’s the right thing to do!”
too walked with my fellow graduates the half block to Lincoln Center. I was
proud to receive my diploma while I was donned in my cap and gown. After the
event ended, I was walking with my wife and parents towards our car. An
African-American fellow pushing a hand-truck loaded with boxes across the
Manhattan street suddenly collided with the curb. Boxes flew everywhere
prompting a few honks from annoyed and impatient drivers. My father looked at
me, motioned towards the boxes, and said “C’mon, it’s the right thing to do!”
We then proceeded to help the flustered and very appreciative
man collect his boxes and place them back on the hand-truck. He kept repeating
“Thanks you rabbis! That’s really nice! Thank you rabbis!”
man collect his boxes and place them back on the hand-truck. He kept repeating
“Thanks you rabbis! That’s really nice! Thank you rabbis!”
It wasn’t just the Kiddush Hashem that we generated, it was
also the lesson my father taught me. It’s the right thing to do. Internalize
what you were taught and let it become part of who you are.
also the lesson my father taught me. It’s the right thing to do. Internalize
what you were taught and let it become part of who you are.
Someone once told me that one of the things that makes my
father so special is that despite his being the administrator of Friedwald
Nursing Home, he still maintains his original training as a social worker. He
makes rounds around the Nursing Home every morning to check on all the
residents and patients, to offer a pleasant word and see how they are doing. I
have been told by numerous people, including some notable Monsey personalities,
“I spent some time in Friedwald recuperating. Your father treated me like
royalty.”
father so special is that despite his being the administrator of Friedwald
Nursing Home, he still maintains his original training as a social worker. He
makes rounds around the Nursing Home every morning to check on all the
residents and patients, to offer a pleasant word and see how they are doing. I
have been told by numerous people, including some notable Monsey personalities,
“I spent some time in Friedwald recuperating. Your father treated me like
royalty.”
…But they will always remember how you made them feel!
It’s always nice when a child has nachas from his parents. [I’ll
save my nachas about my mother for a different time.]
save my nachas about my mother for a different time.]
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani
Staum
Staum