“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Vayishlach
Parshas Vayishlach
15 Kislev 5779/November 23,
2018
2018
Check
your pockets; if you purchased a lottery ticket a few weeks ago, you may have
the winning ticket. As of this writing, the $1.5 billion mega millions jackpot
has still not been claimed.
your pockets; if you purchased a lottery ticket a few weeks ago, you may have
the winning ticket. As of this writing, the $1.5 billion mega millions jackpot
has still not been claimed.
The
winner, who beat the odds of 1 in 302 million, has 180 days to collect before
the ticket expires. In 2015, a California Powerball winner lost his ticket and
his $1 million prize. Despite the fact that surveillance footage showed him making
the purchase, because he lost the actual ticket, he couldn’t collect his
winnings. Last year, Jimmie Smith of East Orange, New Jersey, found a lottery
ticket worth $24 million in an old shirt hanging in his closet just before the
one-year deadline.
winner, who beat the odds of 1 in 302 million, has 180 days to collect before
the ticket expires. In 2015, a California Powerball winner lost his ticket and
his $1 million prize. Despite the fact that surveillance footage showed him making
the purchase, because he lost the actual ticket, he couldn’t collect his
winnings. Last year, Jimmie Smith of East Orange, New Jersey, found a lottery
ticket worth $24 million in an old shirt hanging in his closet just before the
one-year deadline.
A
few weeks ago, everyone was buzzing about the lottery. It was the one question
everyone seemed to be asking – “did you buy a lottery ticket?” Many of my
students in both yeshivos that I work in asked me the question. They were surprised
when I told them that, even if I bought lottery tickets, I wouldn’t have now because
it’s too much money to win.
few weeks ago, everyone was buzzing about the lottery. It was the one question
everyone seemed to be asking – “did you buy a lottery ticket?” Many of my
students in both yeshivos that I work in asked me the question. They were surprised
when I told them that, even if I bought lottery tickets, I wouldn’t have now because
it’s too much money to win.
Many
people feel that they would know exactly what to do if they won the lottery.
The many stories of lives destroyed by sudden windfalls notwithstanding, they
feel that they would know how to proceed.
people feel that they would know exactly what to do if they won the lottery.
The many stories of lives destroyed by sudden windfalls notwithstanding, they
feel that they would know how to proceed.
In
a 2010 article, CNN reported that a British privacy protection firm reported
that only one in five Londoners would try to track down the owner of a lost
wallet that they found on the street. When asked three fifths of people said
they would do so, but when researches dropped wallets in different areas, they
found that the overwhelming majority of people did not do so. Only 20 percent
of wallets were retuned, and only 55 percent on those returned contained the
original sum of money.
a 2010 article, CNN reported that a British privacy protection firm reported
that only one in five Londoners would try to track down the owner of a lost
wallet that they found on the street. When asked three fifths of people said
they would do so, but when researches dropped wallets in different areas, they
found that the overwhelming majority of people did not do so. Only 20 percent
of wallets were retuned, and only 55 percent on those returned contained the
original sum of money.
The
great Chassidic rebbe, Rav Chaim Sanzer, once turned to three of his chassidim
who were sitting together. He asked the first one what he would do if he found
a wallet that had in it a tremendous amount of money. The chossid immediately
replied that he would return it without hesitation. The rebbe waved him off, “Fool!”
He then turned to the second chossid and repeated the question. Seeing the
rebbe’s response to his friend, the second chossid replied that he would keep
the money. The rebbe’s voice thundred, “thief!” Then he turned to the third
chossid and repeated the question. The chossid nervously replied, “Rebbe, I would
hope that I would have the inner strength to return the money!” The rebbe nodded
approvingly. That was the correct response.
great Chassidic rebbe, Rav Chaim Sanzer, once turned to three of his chassidim
who were sitting together. He asked the first one what he would do if he found
a wallet that had in it a tremendous amount of money. The chossid immediately
replied that he would return it without hesitation. The rebbe waved him off, “Fool!”
He then turned to the second chossid and repeated the question. Seeing the
rebbe’s response to his friend, the second chossid replied that he would keep
the money. The rebbe’s voice thundred, “thief!” Then he turned to the third
chossid and repeated the question. The chossid nervously replied, “Rebbe, I would
hope that I would have the inner strength to return the money!” The rebbe nodded
approvingly. That was the correct response.
We
are very confident and perhaps even cocky that, placed in a challenging situation,
we would unquestionably maintain our integrity and respond according to our
convictions. But a person needs to always be aware of his inclinations. One
must constantly worry that perhaps he has not sufficiently developed his sense
of integrity and his moral compass to ensure that he would follow his own
values even in a compromising situation.
are very confident and perhaps even cocky that, placed in a challenging situation,
we would unquestionably maintain our integrity and respond according to our
convictions. But a person needs to always be aware of his inclinations. One
must constantly worry that perhaps he has not sufficiently developed his sense
of integrity and his moral compass to ensure that he would follow his own
values even in a compromising situation.
The
truth is that it’s not just about money and winning the lottery. In the July
2017 edition of the Atlantic there was an article published entitled, “Power
causes Brain Damage.” The article quotes recent research that demonstrates how the
brains of people put into powerful positions actually change. Most significantly,
they become less empathic and tend to treat their subordinates with more
disregard.
truth is that it’s not just about money and winning the lottery. In the July
2017 edition of the Atlantic there was an article published entitled, “Power
causes Brain Damage.” The article quotes recent research that demonstrates how the
brains of people put into powerful positions actually change. Most significantly,
they become less empathic and tend to treat their subordinates with more
disregard.
That
only further demonstrates to us the incredible greatness of our Torah leaders.
It’s not just that they are humble and the epitome of love, empathy, and caring.
It’s also that they reach such levels despite the fact that they are accorded
so much honor and deference. That humility is what makes them into a Gadol.
only further demonstrates to us the incredible greatness of our Torah leaders.
It’s not just that they are humble and the epitome of love, empathy, and caring.
It’s also that they reach such levels despite the fact that they are accorded
so much honor and deference. That humility is what makes them into a Gadol.
For
all of us it is a humbling message that we must always be wary of the effect
that all promotions and growth can have on us if we aren’t careful. There are
indeed individuals who have become rich and famous who have not allowed their
newfound wealth and position to severely alter their personalities. But unfortunately,
there are many who did.
all of us it is a humbling message that we must always be wary of the effect
that all promotions and growth can have on us if we aren’t careful. There are
indeed individuals who have become rich and famous who have not allowed their
newfound wealth and position to severely alter their personalities. But unfortunately,
there are many who did.
Mesillas
Yesharim cautions us that everything in life is a test – poverty and wealth.
The question always is – what did you do with it?
Yesharim cautions us that everything in life is a test – poverty and wealth.
The question always is – what did you do with it?
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum