“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Matos-Masei
Rosh Chodesh Menachem
Av 5775/ July 15, 2015
Av 5775/ July 15, 2015
Pirkei Avos – Chapter 2
This week
Camp Dora Golding went on its first major trip of the summer toDorney Park ,
a major theme park inAllentown ,
PA.
to a Theme Park is aware, not only do people wait on long lines to go on rides,
and pay a lot of money for a cup of soda mostly filled with ice, but people
also enjoy spending their money to play games which leave minimal chance for
success. The draw is that after playing a few times, eventually you win a
stuffed animal which you can then proudly display as you march around the park.
The bigger the stuffed animal the more impressed people are.
Camp Dora Golding went on its first major trip of the summer to
a major theme park in
to a Theme Park is aware, not only do people wait on long lines to go on rides,
and pay a lot of money for a cup of soda mostly filled with ice, but people
also enjoy spending their money to play games which leave minimal chance for
success. The draw is that after playing a few times, eventually you win a
stuffed animal which you can then proudly display as you march around the park.
The bigger the stuffed animal the more impressed people are.
When we
boarded the busses at the end of the day atDonrey Park
we had to figure out how to find place for three huge stuffed animals. (I don’t
even know how to describe what kind of animals they were – they were half bird
and half penguin.) Then when we got back to camp the proud winners had to lug
their overweight loot up to their bunk and find place for them.
boarded the busses at the end of the day at
we had to figure out how to find place for three huge stuffed animals. (I don’t
even know how to describe what kind of animals they were – they were half bird
and half penguin.) Then when we got back to camp the proud winners had to lug
their overweight loot up to their bunk and find place for them.
During my
late teen years on one occasion I went with a few friends to a theme park on
Chol Hamoed and brought a knapsack full of stuffed animals from my house. Once
we entered the park I took them out and walked around holding them. Quite a few
people stopped me and asked me which booth I had won the prizes at. I simply
shrugged and pointed in the distance.
late teen years on one occasion I went with a few friends to a theme park on
Chol Hamoed and brought a knapsack full of stuffed animals from my house. Once
we entered the park I took them out and walked around holding them. Quite a few
people stopped me and asked me which booth I had won the prizes at. I simply
shrugged and pointed in the distance.
It’s
interesting that once you leave the theme park not only do the stuffed animals
no longer accord you any respect, but people also wonder why in the world you
are walking around with them.
interesting that once you leave the theme park not only do the stuffed animals
no longer accord you any respect, but people also wonder why in the world you
are walking around with them.
I had
more than one friend who had large collections of stuffed animals, many from
their visits to Theme Parks. When they got married their wives slowly began
disposing of the inanimate dust collectors that were taking up needless space.
more than one friend who had large collections of stuffed animals, many from
their visits to Theme Parks. When they got married their wives slowly began
disposing of the inanimate dust collectors that were taking up needless space.
Our world
is a little theme park with all sorts of attractions and rewards. We become
consumed with trying to win those prizes, enjoy the rides, and gain some status
as we walk around the park. But eventually the park closes and we have to head
back to reality. All of the things that granted status while in the park are
reduced to being trivialities at best.
is a little theme park with all sorts of attractions and rewards. We become
consumed with trying to win those prizes, enjoy the rides, and gain some status
as we walk around the park. But eventually the park closes and we have to head
back to reality. All of the things that granted status while in the park are
reduced to being trivialities at best.
The Three
Weeks and the laws they impose upon us are very inconvenient. The fact that it
transpires during the summer, when society is enjoying the hot summery sun with
hardly any restrictions, makes it all the more challenging. But the Three Weeks
carry a sobering reminder to us that all that glitters around us is not gold. Despite
our wealth, prestige, and relative comfort, the world is far from where it
should be. The Bais Hamikdash is not rebuilt, Eretz Yisroel remains in
perpetual danger, and so many of with constant pain and suffering.
Weeks and the laws they impose upon us are very inconvenient. The fact that it
transpires during the summer, when society is enjoying the hot summery sun with
hardly any restrictions, makes it all the more challenging. But the Three Weeks
carry a sobering reminder to us that all that glitters around us is not gold. Despite
our wealth, prestige, and relative comfort, the world is far from where it
should be. The Bais Hamikdash is not rebuilt, Eretz Yisroel remains in
perpetual danger, and so many of with constant pain and suffering.
The Three
Weeks of mourning sets the stage for the months of Elul and Tishrei which are
always just beyond the horizon of Tisha B’av. If we are so consumed with the
momentary prize to show off to everyone around us, when the glittering lights
go out and the rides stop we will have nothing to show.
Weeks of mourning sets the stage for the months of Elul and Tishrei which are
always just beyond the horizon of Tisha B’av. If we are so consumed with the
momentary prize to show off to everyone around us, when the glittering lights
go out and the rides stop we will have nothing to show.
If we
internalize the poignant message of Tisha B’av and take its sobering message to
heart we will be able to remember what is truly valuable and important, and
will elevate our entire lives.
internalize the poignant message of Tisha B’av and take its sobering message to
heart we will be able to remember what is truly valuable and important, and
will elevate our entire lives.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum