“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Shoftim – Avos perek 6
Parshas Shoftim – Avos perek 6
7 Elul 5778/August 17,
2018
2018
I have been attending summer camp for almost three decades. I
have been a camper, masmid, office boy, junior counselor, counselor, learning
rebbe, head waiter, and the division head of almost every age. But I have a
confession to make: as a camper I absolutely abhorred color war. I hated the
change of schedule, the loud cheering, the unusual splitting of my bunk and the
whole camp, having to go to team time to learn and then to sing songs, etc.
have been a camper, masmid, office boy, junior counselor, counselor, learning
rebbe, head waiter, and the division head of almost every age. But I have a
confession to make: as a camper I absolutely abhorred color war. I hated the
change of schedule, the loud cheering, the unusual splitting of my bunk and the
whole camp, having to go to team time to learn and then to sing songs, etc.
But I remember that the last year that I was a camper in Camp
Torah Vodaas (of blessed memory), I had a different experience. That summer
during color war, I was invited to have a major part in the grand play. I had
never acted on stage before, and I was quite skeptical about my acting
abilities. (Since then I have acted in numerous plays. That probably would
never have happened if Baruch Wein, who wrote our team’s play, didn’t have the
confidence in me that I didn’t have in myself.)
Torah Vodaas (of blessed memory), I had a different experience. That summer
during color war, I was invited to have a major part in the grand play. I had
never acted on stage before, and I was quite skeptical about my acting
abilities. (Since then I have acted in numerous plays. That probably would
never have happened if Baruch Wein, who wrote our team’s play, didn’t have the
confidence in me that I didn’t have in myself.)
Acting in that play made me a sudden celebrity in camp that
summer, and gave me a surge of confidence. The following evening, when a few
staff members convened to write the alma-mater[1], I
joined them. I didn’t think I had any ability to write lyrics. However, when
they were stuck on a line I suggested “as I ride the bus staring out the
window, tears well up inside my eyes”. The eyes of the person in charge of the
song lit up, and he wrote my suggestion down. (That was the beginning of a camp
career writing lyrics for songs).
summer, and gave me a surge of confidence. The following evening, when a few
staff members convened to write the alma-mater[1], I
joined them. I didn’t think I had any ability to write lyrics. However, when
they were stuck on a line I suggested “as I ride the bus staring out the
window, tears well up inside my eyes”. The eyes of the person in charge of the
song lit up, and he wrote my suggestion down. (That was the beginning of a camp
career writing lyrics for songs).
I don’t even remember if my team won color war that that
year. But I do remember feeling sad when it ended.
year. But I do remember feeling sad when it ended.
I had always dreaded color war; what had suddenly changed?
The obvious answer was that for the first time I had been involved in color
war. It wasn’t something dictated and imposed upon me, but something I had
invested in and contributed to. That was why, despite the tremendous exertion
and effort it entailed, I enjoyed the experience and didn’t want it to end.
The obvious answer was that for the first time I had been involved in color
war. It wasn’t something dictated and imposed upon me, but something I had
invested in and contributed to. That was why, despite the tremendous exertion
and effort it entailed, I enjoyed the experience and didn’t want it to end.
Now that the month of Elul has begun, we are all anticipating
the imminence of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Many dread the experience of
reciting long, unfamiliar tefilos and having to contend with so many halachos,
and introspection. How can one not only not dread these days, but even
excitedly anticipate the exquisiteness of these lofty days?
the imminence of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Many dread the experience of
reciting long, unfamiliar tefilos and having to contend with so many halachos,
and introspection. How can one not only not dread these days, but even
excitedly anticipate the exquisiteness of these lofty days?
One possibility is that it depends whether we are passive or
active towards these days. If the tefilos and laws are imposed upon us, then we
see it as a necessary inconvenience that we have to survive. However, if we are
proactive and prepare ourselves somewhat for the coming days – by learning the
halachos, studying some of the meaning and depth of the tefilos, it can become
an enjoyable, inspiring, and uplifting experience. We can actually feel excited
for the Yomim Noraim, despite the challenges it brings.
active towards these days. If the tefilos and laws are imposed upon us, then we
see it as a necessary inconvenience that we have to survive. However, if we are
proactive and prepare ourselves somewhat for the coming days – by learning the
halachos, studying some of the meaning and depth of the tefilos, it can become
an enjoyable, inspiring, and uplifting experience. We can actually feel excited
for the Yomim Noraim, despite the challenges it brings.
If we “step into the Yom Tov” and build up excitement for the
opportunity that it presents, we will look forward to it.[2]
opportunity that it presents, we will look forward to it.[2]
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’
Dani and Chani Staum
Dani and Chani Staum