“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Matos-Masei
Parshas Matos-Masei
27 Tamuz
5777/ July 22, 2017 – Avos Perek 2
5777/ July 22, 2017 – Avos Perek 2
Mevorchim
Menachem Av
Menachem Av
Camp Dora Golding is located in East
Stroudsburg, Pa. It is a beautiful campus with newly renovated bunkhouses, lush
fields, and numerous other attractions, which contribute to making it the
wonderful camp that it is.
Stroudsburg, Pa. It is a beautiful campus with newly renovated bunkhouses, lush
fields, and numerous other attractions, which contribute to making it the
wonderful camp that it is.
What is also somewhat unique about CDG, is that
it is located in the Pocono Mountains, not in the Catskills (“the
country”). While in camps in the Catskills boast that they are “the
best camp in the mountains”, we say that we are “the best camp in any
mountains”.
it is located in the Pocono Mountains, not in the Catskills (“the
country”). While in camps in the Catskills boast that they are “the
best camp in the mountains”, we say that we are “the best camp in any
mountains”.
Among the advantages of not being in the
Catskills, is that it is possible to find an open washing machine at a
laundromat the afternoon after Tisha B’av. The disadvantage however, is that
our main attraction in “town” is Walmart. We can’t run out to town
for an hour to grab a slice of pizza or a fleishig supper.
Catskills, is that it is possible to find an open washing machine at a
laundromat the afternoon after Tisha B’av. The disadvantage however, is that
our main attraction in “town” is Walmart. We can’t run out to town
for an hour to grab a slice of pizza or a fleishig supper.
It is therefore an exciting ordeal when there
is a Dougies order placed by the staff for delivery to camp. For Dougies to
deliver from Woodbourne to East Stroudsburg late at night, there is a
five-hundred-dollar minimum on the order. But that has never an issue. In
fact, the orders are easily 3-4 times that amount.
is a Dougies order placed by the staff for delivery to camp. For Dougies to
deliver from Woodbourne to East Stroudsburg late at night, there is a
five-hundred-dollar minimum on the order. But that has never an issue. In
fact, the orders are easily 3-4 times that amount.
Truthfully, eating Dougies at midnight, hours
after it was made and delivered, is quite overrated. Firstly, the food here in
camp – thanks to our Chef Yo – is quite good. Secondly, Dougies food is most
enjoyable with all its various sauces, when eaten fresh. Still, the excitement
of “ordering from Dougies” is strong enough to cause most staff
members to want to be part of the order.
after it was made and delivered, is quite overrated. Firstly, the food here in
camp – thanks to our Chef Yo – is quite good. Secondly, Dougies food is most
enjoyable with all its various sauces, when eaten fresh. Still, the excitement
of “ordering from Dougies” is strong enough to cause most staff
members to want to be part of the order.
The biggest downside to eating Dougies at
midnight, is realized the morning after. It is an experience unto itself – one
which I shall not elaborate on in this article.
midnight, is realized the morning after. It is an experience unto itself – one
which I shall not elaborate on in this article.
It’s fascinating to me that despite the fact
that I tell myself that I won’t order from Dougies the next time – that it’s
just not worth it, especially the indigestion- when the next time comes around
I find myself ordering anyway. It’s such a hype that I feel like I’m missing
something by not taking full advantage of having Dougies in the remote hills of
East Stroudsburg.
that I tell myself that I won’t order from Dougies the next time – that it’s
just not worth it, especially the indigestion- when the next time comes around
I find myself ordering anyway. It’s such a hype that I feel like I’m missing
something by not taking full advantage of having Dougies in the remote hills of
East Stroudsburg.
When the new order is being filled, previous
experiences are all but forgotten. I assure you that my experience is not
unique. Many others tell me that they go through the same internal struggle.
experiences are all but forgotten. I assure you that my experience is not
unique. Many others tell me that they go through the same internal struggle.
Midnight Dougies may be somewhat unhealthy, but
it doesn’t have too many ramifications beyond that. The problem is that my
Dougies experience is an analogy for various more profound struggles we contend
with throughout our lives.
it doesn’t have too many ramifications beyond that. The problem is that my
Dougies experience is an analogy for various more profound struggles we contend
with throughout our lives.
How many times do we tell ourselves that we
won’t repeat a certain behavior or habit, only to find ourselves doing it again
sometime later? The greatness of the human mind is that we are able to convince
ourselves of things that may not be grounded in reality. That includes the
ability to completely forget the pain or aggravation we felt when engaging in a
certain behavior that we promised ourselves we would not repeat.
won’t repeat a certain behavior or habit, only to find ourselves doing it again
sometime later? The greatness of the human mind is that we are able to convince
ourselves of things that may not be grounded in reality. That includes the
ability to completely forget the pain or aggravation we felt when engaging in a
certain behavior that we promised ourselves we would not repeat.
This is the root of “Addictive Thinking”
(the title of one of Rabbi Dr Abraham Twerski’s books). This type of thinking
is the modus operandi of any addict. He knows his behaviors are damaging
himself and others around him, and he sincerely pledges to immediately stop his
detrimental habits. Yet, he repeats it again.
(the title of one of Rabbi Dr Abraham Twerski’s books). This type of thinking
is the modus operandi of any addict. He knows his behaviors are damaging
himself and others around him, and he sincerely pledges to immediately stop his
detrimental habits. Yet, he repeats it again.
In a certain sense, we all suffer from this –
whether it’s with loshon hora, yelling at your children, arguing with our
spouses, religious deficiencies, etc.
whether it’s with loshon hora, yelling at your children, arguing with our
spouses, religious deficiencies, etc.
Rav Henoch Leibowitz zt’l notes that if only
Adam Harishon would’ve been able to clearly recall the acute and indescribable
inner pain he felt when he committed the primordial sin, it would ensure that
he wouldn’t return to sin. But alas, man has a way of forgetting that pain all
too quickly, getting swept away by the hype and excitement, even when he innately
knows it’s futility.
Adam Harishon would’ve been able to clearly recall the acute and indescribable
inner pain he felt when he committed the primordial sin, it would ensure that
he wouldn’t return to sin. But alas, man has a way of forgetting that pain all
too quickly, getting swept away by the hype and excitement, even when he innately
knows it’s futility.
Eating poppers and chicken wings at midnight
may be unwise and cause discomfort afterwards, but our other negative habits
may be far costlier. Countering that damage begins with cognizance and honesty of
the struggle, and then figuring out ways to overcome those engrained habits.
may be unwise and cause discomfort afterwards, but our other negative habits
may be far costlier. Countering that damage begins with cognizance and honesty of
the struggle, and then figuring out ways to overcome those engrained habits.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum