“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Vayetzei
Parshas Vayetzei
8 Kiselv 5776/ November
20, 2015
20, 2015
Growing up there was hardly anything
more exciting that receiving a package in the mail. You would open the package
and admiringly look at the contents which you have long waited for. Then you
put aside the contents and lovingly hold… the bubble wrap! Nothing was more thrilling and
delightful than spending hours stomping all over those bubbles and basking in
the satisfying “pop” sounds. The fact that it also annoyed everyone
around you, and caused everyone else to become jealous that they didn’t have
any bubble wrap, made it all the more fun.
more exciting that receiving a package in the mail. You would open the package
and admiringly look at the contents which you have long waited for. Then you
put aside the contents and lovingly hold… the bubble wrap! Nothing was more thrilling and
delightful than spending hours stomping all over those bubbles and basking in
the satisfying “pop” sounds. The fact that it also annoyed everyone
around you, and caused everyone else to become jealous that they didn’t have
any bubble wrap, made it all the more fun.
This may come as a shock
but it seems that the excitement of bubble wrap is becoming a memory. Sealed
Air Corp, which has sold Bubble Wrap since 1960, is introducing a new version
of the product called iBubble Wrap. The original bubble wrap is too
space-consuming. It was delivered in massive roles to warehouses and would take
up a great deal of space which couldn’t be used for actual merchandise. The new
wrap takes up one-fiftieth the space of the traditional material and appeals to
online retailers who are driving growth in the $20 billion protective packaging
business, and want to ship items as compactly as possible.
but it seems that the excitement of bubble wrap is becoming a memory. Sealed
Air Corp, which has sold Bubble Wrap since 1960, is introducing a new version
of the product called iBubble Wrap. The original bubble wrap is too
space-consuming. It was delivered in massive roles to warehouses and would take
up a great deal of space which couldn’t be used for actual merchandise. The new
wrap takes up one-fiftieth the space of the traditional material and appeals to
online retailers who are driving growth in the $20 billion protective packaging
business, and want to ship items as compactly as possible.
The revamped material is
sold in flat plastic sheets. Just prior to shipping the sheets are filled with
air via a custom pump. Once inflated, iBubbles look similar to traditional
Bubble Wrap with one notable exception: there will be no satisfying pop when
you push, press, sit, or stomp on it.
sold in flat plastic sheets. Just prior to shipping the sheets are filled with
air via a custom pump. Once inflated, iBubbles look similar to traditional
Bubble Wrap with one notable exception: there will be no satisfying pop when
you push, press, sit, or stomp on it.
The bottom line is that the wrapping needs
to protect the contents in the most efficient and resourceful manner possible.
Despite how enjoyable it is to play with bubble wrap, if there is a better way
to protect packages in a more ideal manner, than it’s time to bid bubble wrap
farewell. The main thing is that the package arrives in its pristine form.
to protect the contents in the most efficient and resourceful manner possible.
Despite how enjoyable it is to play with bubble wrap, if there is a better way
to protect packages in a more ideal manner, than it’s time to bid bubble wrap
farewell. The main thing is that the package arrives in its pristine form.
As a nation we have been proudly
carrying invaluable merchandise with us wherever we have been. It’s the
merchandise which guides our lives and infuses our days with meaning,
direction, and purpose.
carrying invaluable merchandise with us wherever we have been. It’s the
merchandise which guides our lives and infuses our days with meaning,
direction, and purpose.
That merchandise needs to be taught and
presented with attractive and user-friendly ‘bubble wrap’. Children need to be
drawn towards the merchandise by the wrapping so they could eventually
appreciate the merchandise itself.
presented with attractive and user-friendly ‘bubble wrap’. Children need to be
drawn towards the merchandise by the wrapping so they could eventually
appreciate the merchandise itself.
In each generation the wrapping needs to
be adapted to its times. The wrapping used in my father’s generation is not the
same as the wrapping used in my generation, and the wrapping used in my generation
is not the same as that of my children. The techniques, the approaches, the
disciplinary tactics, and the reward system are all part of the wrapping.
be adapted to its times. The wrapping used in my father’s generation is not the
same as the wrapping used in my generation, and the wrapping used in my generation
is not the same as that of my children. The techniques, the approaches, the
disciplinary tactics, and the reward system are all part of the wrapping.
Despite the fact that the wrapping
constantly has to be revamped, the package inside always stays the same. In
fact it is illegal to tamper with it.
constantly has to be revamped, the package inside always stays the same. In
fact it is illegal to tamper with it.
This
distinction is actually vital to understand. Whatever falls into the category
of ‘wrapping’ is subject to change, but the merchandise itself is exactly as it
was, as perfectly pristine as it was when it was first given to us at Sinai all
of those years ago.
distinction is actually vital to understand. Whatever falls into the category
of ‘wrapping’ is subject to change, but the merchandise itself is exactly as it
was, as perfectly pristine as it was when it was first given to us at Sinai all
of those years ago.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum