“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech
23 Elul 5774/September 19, 2014 —
Motzei Shabbos – Selichos
Motzei Shabbos – Selichos
Pirkei Avos – Perek 5-6
This past Shabbos,
Chani and I had the pleasure of joining my older brother and sister-in-law,
Rabbi Yitzie and Racheli Staum, in Chesterfield, Missouri at the bar mitzvah of
their son, our nephew, Avrohom Yosef.
Chani and I had the pleasure of joining my older brother and sister-in-law,
Rabbi Yitzie and Racheli Staum, in Chesterfield, Missouri at the bar mitzvah of
their son, our nephew, Avrohom Yosef.
On Friday night Avrohom
Yosef’s Uncle Amitai (Bin-Nun) related that eight years earlier he had taken
Avrohom Yosef and some of his siblings on their first visit to the famous
Gateway Arch inSt. Louis , on the Mississippi River .
Yosef’s Uncle Amitai (Bin-Nun) related that eight years earlier he had taken
Avrohom Yosef and some of his siblings on their first visit to the famous
Gateway Arch in
The Gateway Arch is a
landmark, and an architectural wonder, rising 630 feet in the air. It is a
tribute to the city’s role in theUnited
State
expansion and the Lewis and Clark expedition which ended there in the early
1800s.
landmark, and an architectural wonder, rising 630 feet in the air. It is a
tribute to the city’s role in the
expansion and the Lewis and Clark expedition which ended there in the early
1800s.
Getting to the top in a
constricted tram is an experience not for the claustrophobic. But from the top
one is afforded a magnificent 30 mile view in every direction, including the
entireSt. Louis on one side and into Illinois
side.
constricted tram is an experience not for the claustrophobic. But from the top
one is afforded a magnificent 30 mile view in every direction, including the
entire
side.
When they arrived at
the top of the arch, Avrohom Yosef was peering deeply for a few minutes. He was
lost in thought and was obviously looking for something he could not find. Finally
after about five minutes he looked up at his uncle with a look of epiphany.
“Uncle Amitai, I just realized that I can’t see the Gateway Arch because I’m on
the top of it!” Until that moment he had not been able to figure out why if he
was able to see the entire city from up there he couldn’t see the city’s most
famous landmark.
the top of the arch, Avrohom Yosef was peering deeply for a few minutes. He was
lost in thought and was obviously looking for something he could not find. Finally
after about five minutes he looked up at his uncle with a look of epiphany.
“Uncle Amitai, I just realized that I can’t see the Gateway Arch because I’m on
the top of it!” Until that moment he had not been able to figure out why if he
was able to see the entire city from up there he couldn’t see the city’s most
famous landmark.
Each year as Rosh Hashana approaches many people
find themselves despairingly thinking that this will yet be another year of
failed growth. “I am exactly who I was last year and the year before that, and
I can never change.” But in reality, that attitude is hardly ever true.
find themselves despairingly thinking that this will yet be another year of
failed growth. “I am exactly who I was last year and the year before that, and
I can never change.” But in reality, that attitude is hardly ever true.
The gemara Kiddushin
relates that Rav Yochanan would respectfully rise in the presence of any
elderly person – even an Armenian. He would explain that by mere virtue of the
fact that someone has lived in this world for many years he is worthy of
respect. Merely living in this world changes a person. Life experiences and
events demand maturity and the need to grow. Add to that a person who is
conscientious of his shortcomings and sets goals for himself to improve and
grow. It is impossible that such a person has not spiritually grown and matured
as time passes.
relates that Rav Yochanan would respectfully rise in the presence of any
elderly person – even an Armenian. He would explain that by mere virtue of the
fact that someone has lived in this world for many years he is worthy of
respect. Merely living in this world changes a person. Life experiences and
events demand maturity and the need to grow. Add to that a person who is
conscientious of his shortcomings and sets goals for himself to improve and
grow. It is impossible that such a person has not spiritually grown and matured
as time passes.
It is always
challenging to assess our own growth. Our evil inclination within us minimizes
our accomplishments and highlights our deficiencies, making us feel woefully
inadequate and like failures. The fact is that one cannot see the arch he has
built when he is standing at the top.
challenging to assess our own growth. Our evil inclination within us minimizes
our accomplishments and highlights our deficiencies, making us feel woefully
inadequate and like failures. The fact is that one cannot see the arch he has
built when he is standing at the top.
There is no question
that we all have ways to go and there is far more we can accomplish. True
living is about growing and improving. But in order to have the courage and
fortitude to continue that ascent it is vital that we take a step back to
realize and appreciate how much we have built and grown until now.
that we all have ways to go and there is far more we can accomplish. True
living is about growing and improving. But in order to have the courage and
fortitude to continue that ascent it is vital that we take a step back to
realize and appreciate how much we have built and grown until now.
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani
Staum
Staum