“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tezaveh/Zachor
PURIM
10 Adar 5780/March 7, 2020
ENHANCED LICENSE
One of
the more dreaded destinations these days is the Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV). It’s a place that many try to avoid as much as possible. But sooner or
later a visit there is almost unavoidable.
the more dreaded destinations these days is the Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV). It’s a place that many try to avoid as much as possible. But sooner or
later a visit there is almost unavoidable.
Recently,
I had one such visit. For those unaware, as of October 2020, regular licenses
will no longer be accepted in airports for national flights or to enter
government buildings throughout the country. Going forward, one will need an
enhanced license. So begrudgingly, I went off to the DMV to get my enhanced
license. I will leave the discussion about my DMV experience for a future
article. For the moment I wanted to share that, although I am gratified to have
my enhanced license, and am able to cross that off my list, it is tinged with a
bit of sadness.
I had one such visit. For those unaware, as of October 2020, regular licenses
will no longer be accepted in airports for national flights or to enter
government buildings throughout the country. Going forward, one will need an
enhanced license. So begrudgingly, I went off to the DMV to get my enhanced
license. I will leave the discussion about my DMV experience for a future
article. For the moment I wanted to share that, although I am gratified to have
my enhanced license, and am able to cross that off my list, it is tinged with a
bit of sadness.
My
original license picture was taken when I first got my license when I was 16
years old. Since then, every time my license needed to be renewed, I would send
in a check and the necessary form, and they would send back the new license
with the same picture. So, until now, my license had my picture from when I was
sixteen.
original license picture was taken when I first got my license when I was 16
years old. Since then, every time my license needed to be renewed, I would send
in a check and the necessary form, and they would send back the new license
with the same picture. So, until now, my license had my picture from when I was
sixteen.
Whenever
I travel and present my license, security personnel always do a double take,
“Is that really you?” And now, almost twenty-five years later, that cute
experience is coming to an end.
I travel and present my license, security personnel always do a double take,
“Is that really you?” And now, almost twenty-five years later, that cute
experience is coming to an end.
For my
new enhanced license, I was required to get a new picture taken at the DMV.
Among many other gripes about the DMV, is the fact that the “photographers”
seem to be trained to make sure the picture is unflattering. So now, instead of
looking twenty-five years younger in my picture, I look about ten years older.
I guess that’s part of the price for a new enhanced license.
new enhanced license, I was required to get a new picture taken at the DMV.
Among many other gripes about the DMV, is the fact that the “photographers”
seem to be trained to make sure the picture is unflattering. So now, instead of
looking twenty-five years younger in my picture, I look about ten years older.
I guess that’s part of the price for a new enhanced license.
Rabbi
Shalom Schwadron related that one time he was in the mikvah when an elderly
fellow next to him took off his shirt to reveal a very small pair of tzitzis.
When Rabbi Schwadron gently noted to the man that his tzitzis were rather
small, the man explained that he had them from when he was a young boy. He had
never gotten a new pair.
Shalom Schwadron related that one time he was in the mikvah when an elderly
fellow next to him took off his shirt to reveal a very small pair of tzitzis.
When Rabbi Schwadron gently noted to the man that his tzitzis were rather
small, the man explained that he had them from when he was a young boy. He had
never gotten a new pair.
Rabbi
Schwadron quipped that many people are metaphorically similar to that man. They
learn the stories of the Avos and Imahos, the stories of Yonah, Dovid Hamelech,
Esther and Rus. But they maintain that childlike understanding of those stories
throughout their lives. They never seek to understand the incredible depth and
profound life lessons that are to be gleaned from our foremost heroes.
Schwadron quipped that many people are metaphorically similar to that man. They
learn the stories of the Avos and Imahos, the stories of Yonah, Dovid Hamelech,
Esther and Rus. But they maintain that childlike understanding of those stories
throughout their lives. They never seek to understand the incredible depth and
profound life lessons that are to be gleaned from our foremost heroes.
My
rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein, often notes that although the stories don’t change, we
do. We need to grow with the parshios and with the lessons they impart to us.
Otherwise, we are no different than the older man wearing a child’s pair of
tzitzis.
rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein, often notes that although the stories don’t change, we
do. We need to grow with the parshios and with the lessons they impart to us.
Otherwise, we are no different than the older man wearing a child’s pair of
tzitzis.
Like
people, relationships have ups and downs. They do not remain static and require
constant nurturance and attention to maintain and enhance them.
people, relationships have ups and downs. They do not remain static and require
constant nurturance and attention to maintain and enhance them.
Rabbi
Shimshon Pincus zt”l noted that Chazal compare the Jewish year and its holidays
to human maturation.
Shimshon Pincus zt”l noted that Chazal compare the Jewish year and its holidays
to human maturation.
Pesach
is the birth and genesis of our nationhood. Shavuos is our national bar mitzvah
when we accept the Torah. Succos is the wedding between Hashem and Klal
Yisrael, with Shemini Ateres/Simchas Torah symbolizing a level of intimate
closeness, as it were. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are the forgiveness for all
sins granted to a bride and groom when they marry (see Yerushalmi Bikkurim).
is the birth and genesis of our nationhood. Shavuos is our national bar mitzvah
when we accept the Torah. Succos is the wedding between Hashem and Klal
Yisrael, with Shemini Ateres/Simchas Torah symbolizing a level of intimate
closeness, as it were. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are the forgiveness for all
sins granted to a bride and groom when they marry (see Yerushalmi Bikkurim).
Rabbi
Pincus continues that when a couple gets married, we dance and sing joyously in
celebration of the new home being created. But in truth, at that point, we
don’t know if that home will endure, and withstand the tempests and challenges
of time. It is only when the couple have a “good fight” and are able to work
things out and get past their differences, that we can be confident that the
marriage will withstand the inevitable vicissitudes that arise.
Pincus continues that when a couple gets married, we dance and sing joyously in
celebration of the new home being created. But in truth, at that point, we
don’t know if that home will endure, and withstand the tempests and challenges
of time. It is only when the couple have a “good fight” and are able to work
things out and get past their differences, that we can be confident that the
marriage will withstand the inevitable vicissitudes that arise.
In his
inimitable fashion, Rabbi Pincus asserts that “Chanukah and Purim were that
good fight.” At that time, the Jewish people felt isolated from G-d as a result
of their sinful behavior. There was national despair and despondency, and the
Jewish people questioned their enduring relationship with G-d. The salvation
that occurred both times, was proof and reassurance of the perpetuity of our
status as the chosen nation and of our eternal relationship with G-d.
inimitable fashion, Rabbi Pincus asserts that “Chanukah and Purim were that
good fight.” At that time, the Jewish people felt isolated from G-d as a result
of their sinful behavior. There was national despair and despondency, and the
Jewish people questioned their enduring relationship with G-d. The salvation
that occurred both times, was proof and reassurance of the perpetuity of our
status as the chosen nation and of our eternal relationship with G-d.
There is
only one thing in this world that is immutable and unchanging. “I Hashem have
not changed, and you the children of Yaakov have not been destroyed” (Malachi
3:6). But all relationships wax and wane, even our feeling of closeness with
Hashem. Chanukah and Purim remind us and strengthen our conviction that the
relationship will never be broken and we can always come home.
only one thing in this world that is immutable and unchanging. “I Hashem have
not changed, and you the children of Yaakov have not been destroyed” (Malachi
3:6). But all relationships wax and wane, even our feeling of closeness with
Hashem. Chanukah and Purim remind us and strengthen our conviction that the
relationship will never be broken and we can always come home.
The
gemara (Shabbos 88b) relates that at the time of Kabbolas HaTorah on Har Sinai
there was an element of coercion. At the time of the Purim miracle however, the
nation reaccepted the Torah, this time solely with love and joy.
gemara (Shabbos 88b) relates that at the time of Kabbolas HaTorah on Har Sinai
there was an element of coercion. At the time of the Purim miracle however, the
nation reaccepted the Torah, this time solely with love and joy.
In that
sense, although Kabbolas HaTorah was when we received our license to be the
chosen people, on Purim we received our enhanced license. Indeed, Chazal relate
that on Purim all celestial doors and gates are open to us.
sense, although Kabbolas HaTorah was when we received our license to be the
chosen people, on Purim we received our enhanced license. Indeed, Chazal relate
that on Purim all celestial doors and gates are open to us.
Just
don’t go for the road test on Purim afternoon…
don’t go for the road test on Purim afternoon…
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Freilichen
Purim & Purim Sameiach,
Purim & Purim Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum