“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Vayetzei
Vayetzei
6 Kislev 5778/November 24,
2017
2017
For
a period during my youth my parents arranged for my sister Ahuva, and myself to
take ice-skating lessons. What I remember the most is the instructor telling us
to always lean forward while skating, so if (when) we fall, we fall forward,
instead of on our backs. I do remember falling a lot. I didn’t quite make the
US Olympics team for skating, but it was fun.
a period during my youth my parents arranged for my sister Ahuva, and myself to
take ice-skating lessons. What I remember the most is the instructor telling us
to always lean forward while skating, so if (when) we fall, we fall forward,
instead of on our backs. I do remember falling a lot. I didn’t quite make the
US Olympics team for skating, but it was fun.
I
was thinking about that class a few years ago, when we signed up our son Shalom
to play in an ice-hockey league. The program was for a series of Sundays, from
early autumn until the middle of the winter. The first session was on a warm
eighty-degree Sunday in late September.
was thinking about that class a few years ago, when we signed up our son Shalom
to play in an ice-hockey league. The program was for a series of Sundays, from
early autumn until the middle of the winter. The first session was on a warm
eighty-degree Sunday in late September.
There
is no sport that requires as much gear as ice-hockey, and we arrived
sufficiently early in order to help Shalom put on all of his necessary gear. We
helped him put on his chest protector, elbow and knee protectors, helmet,
jersey and, of course his skates. Then he skated onto the ice with his hockey
stick.
is no sport that requires as much gear as ice-hockey, and we arrived
sufficiently early in order to help Shalom put on all of his necessary gear. We
helped him put on his chest protector, elbow and knee protectors, helmet,
jersey and, of course his skates. Then he skated onto the ice with his hockey
stick.
I
stood behind the glass watching proudly, amazed that we had actually figured
out (with some help from other parents and players) how to put on all of his
gear. Another father was also watching, and we made some small talk. As he
looked out on the ice, he turned to me and snickered, “Look at that kid in the
shorts. I guess his parents didn’t realize that it’s cold on the ice!” I
replied that some people just don’t think about these things. How silly that
the poor boy’s parents didn’t think that even though it was hot outside, the
ice still has to be below freezing! Then I politely excused myself and ran to
call Chani, and told her that our son’s parents had neglected to bring him
adequate clothing for the ice.
stood behind the glass watching proudly, amazed that we had actually figured
out (with some help from other parents and players) how to put on all of his
gear. Another father was also watching, and we made some small talk. As he
looked out on the ice, he turned to me and snickered, “Look at that kid in the
shorts. I guess his parents didn’t realize that it’s cold on the ice!” I
replied that some people just don’t think about these things. How silly that
the poor boy’s parents didn’t think that even though it was hot outside, the
ice still has to be below freezing! Then I politely excused myself and ran to
call Chani, and told her that our son’s parents had neglected to bring him
adequate clothing for the ice.
Chani
proceeded to drive over to my parent’s house, which was closer than our house,
and rummaged through closets until she found a pair of sweat pants and a
sweater. When she brought the clothes to me, I nonchalantly called Shalom off
the ice. When he skated off and I handed him the clothing, he was most
grateful. He said that he had felt really cold on the ice, and was wondering
why he was the only kid skating in shorts.
proceeded to drive over to my parent’s house, which was closer than our house,
and rummaged through closets until she found a pair of sweat pants and a
sweater. When she brought the clothes to me, I nonchalantly called Shalom off
the ice. When he skated off and I handed him the clothing, he was most
grateful. He said that he had felt really cold on the ice, and was wondering
why he was the only kid skating in shorts.
This
week, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Kislev, which means that Chanukah is on the
horizon. The local Kosher supermarkets and seforim stores already have Chanukah
items on display. Many have already begun to make plans for the upcoming
holiday, including family parties and communal get togethers. As the coming
weeks rush by, demand and prices for oil will sharply rise, and doughnuts will
be on display everywhere.
week, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Kislev, which means that Chanukah is on the
horizon. The local Kosher supermarkets and seforim stores already have Chanukah
items on display. Many have already begun to make plans for the upcoming
holiday, including family parties and communal get togethers. As the coming
weeks rush by, demand and prices for oil will sharply rise, and doughnuts will
be on display everywhere.
In
our society of blessed bounty, we do not lack any of the beautiful ancient
physical customs that comprise the holiday of Chanukah. But for one who really
seeks to elevate his neshama, to glean the true meaning and essence of
Chanukah, the weeks before are an opportunity to mentally and spiritually
prepare ourselves to understand and appreciate the eternal message of
Chanukah.
our society of blessed bounty, we do not lack any of the beautiful ancient
physical customs that comprise the holiday of Chanukah. But for one who really
seeks to elevate his neshama, to glean the true meaning and essence of
Chanukah, the weeks before are an opportunity to mentally and spiritually
prepare ourselves to understand and appreciate the eternal message of
Chanukah.
The
sad reality is that many show up on the first night of Chanukah with beautiful
menorahs prepared, the smell of latkes and donuts in the air, and presents
wrapped off to the side, but content with the same callow understanding of the
holiday that they have maintained since their youth. It’s analogous to one showing
up on the ice without the gear he needs to play the game. [The better analogy
would be to a player coming onto ice with a jersey and helmet but no stick or skates.
Thankfully our situation wasn’t that bad.]
sad reality is that many show up on the first night of Chanukah with beautiful
menorahs prepared, the smell of latkes and donuts in the air, and presents
wrapped off to the side, but content with the same callow understanding of the
holiday that they have maintained since their youth. It’s analogous to one showing
up on the ice without the gear he needs to play the game. [The better analogy
would be to a player coming onto ice with a jersey and helmet but no stick or skates.
Thankfully our situation wasn’t that bad.]
There
is a plethora of beautiful seforim and lectures (many free on-line) in Hebrew,
English, and many other languages, that help foster a far deeper appreciation
of Chanukah and the emotionally penetrating lessons and message of the candles.
After a few weeks of proper spiritual preparation, the hallel recited
throughout the eight days will be a far more elevating experience.
is a plethora of beautiful seforim and lectures (many free on-line) in Hebrew,
English, and many other languages, that help foster a far deeper appreciation
of Chanukah and the emotionally penetrating lessons and message of the candles.
After a few weeks of proper spiritual preparation, the hallel recited
throughout the eight days will be a far more elevating experience.
Before
we have the opportunity to wish each other Happy Chanukah, we should wish each
other a meaningful and elevating Pre-Chanukah.
we have the opportunity to wish each other Happy Chanukah, we should wish each
other a meaningful and elevating Pre-Chanukah.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos
Shalom & Good Shabbos
Happy
Pre-Chanukah,
Pre-Chanukah,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum