Look Again. What Do You See?

I was long overdue for an eye exam, so one morning, as my schedule allowed me to leave work for a little bit, I rushed over to a nearby Sam's Club, and asked if I had to make an appointment, or if they accepted walk-ins as well. The nice fellow behind the desk informed me that this was actually one of only two days of the week that the optometrist came in, and that although the rest of the day was booked solid, the very first appointment was available, right now!

"Wow", I said, "I hope the rest of my day works out as well for me as this did."

"Aren't you a man of G-d?" he retorted. "You should know that everything He sends your way is good. The inconvenient moments are only tests!"

As he began to enter my information into his computer, his phone rang.

"Well", he said as he hung up. "There's your test! The doctor just called to tell us she'd be coming in late today. Would you like to come in next Monday at 2:00?”…

*

At the end of this week’s Torah portion, Ki Sissa, Moshe descends from the mountain with the second set of tablets. Having spent all this time in the presence of G-d, Moshe’s face was so radiant, that the people were afraid to come near him.

The commentators point out the power of sin. A few months prior, these same people stood at Mount Sinai without fear, as the glory of G-d appeared “like a consuming fire atop the mountain”, and now they recoiled in fear from Moshe’s rays of splendor.

It seems that not everyone is able to look at, or see, everything.

*

Although I did not have my eye exam that morning, I was happy for the reminder that we not only need to be able to see, but we need to learn and remember how to look at things as well.

Shabbat Shalom!

Do You Exist In Your Children's Life?

Do you ever wonder if it's worth all the bother?

You invest time, effort, "blood, sweat and tears" to raise your children properly. Yet, their reaction - or lack thereof - might test your patience, and resilience... You want them to behave properly, study well, reach their potential, be all they can be, even (especially?) what you, yourself, could not. Yet, it's a constant struggle, and the results are not always immediately so obvious.

Then, one day, someone casually mentions that they met your child. So sweet, so nice, so kind, so respectful... For a moment, only half in jest, you wonder if they're talking about your kid. Then, it dawns on you, that they might have, indeed, absorbed something after all. And you realize with hope, that as much as you - at one point or another in your life - began to live the ideals that your parents instilled in you, they will, hopefully do the same as well.

Even if they don't know, or acknowledge the role you play in their life, you will always be very much part of it.

* * *
Moshe's name is not mentioned at all in this week's Torah portion, Tetzaveh. Yet, in both the content of the Torah portion itself, and in the reasons that his name is missing, his presence cannot be ignored at all. In fact, it is arguably there - where his name is not seen, that his real impact is felt.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

The Trees in Egypt, and Rabbi Gordon

(In honor and in loving memory of Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin, son of Rabbi Shalom Dovber Gordon, of blessed memory, who passed away on Monday, 29 Shevat, Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, 5776. By an ever-grateful cousin).

In this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, we learn of how G-d instructed Moses to collect materials from the Israelites, with which they would then build a sanctuary, and “He would dwell in their midst”.

Being in the desert, where would they get the wood they needed?

Rashi quotes Rabbi Tanchuma, who explains that our patriarch Jacob foresaw with his holy spirit that the Israelites were destined to build a Sanctuary in the desert, so he brought cedars to Egypt and planted them there, and commanded his sons to take them with them when they left Egypt.

The Rebbe points out that during the 210 years of the Egyptian exile, these trees served as a source of comfort for the Israelites. Throughout the slavery, the Israelites not only knew of the promise of redemption, rather, they had a physical reminder of their true origins, and a tangible source of inspiration and hope for their future redemption.

Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin Gordon was a “cedar” that the Rebbe “planted” in the Valley. He stood tall and proud, serving as a beacon of inspiration to his “own” community in Encino, as well as to all the communities being served by their own Chabad rabbis under his auspices, in addition to countless other Chabad rabbis whom he mentored, and his thousands of devoted students around the world.

***

The Talmud tells the story of a man who was planting a tree that would take many years to fully bear fruit. When asked if he hoped to live long enough to enjoy the fruit of his labor, he responded that he himself was born to find similar trees ready for him. “As my forefathers planted these for me, so, too, I plant these for my children”.

Rabbi Gordon was a unique, gifted and talented man. He gave of himself. His love and devotion to his own family was boundless. His dedication to his community, his students, and every Jew who came his way was immense.

Ultimately, however, his motivation to serve others was rooted in his own commitment to those who came before him. He was dedicated to the Rebbe, his teachings, and his mission. He drew on the influence of his parents and predecessors.

Rabbi Gordon gave of himself to others, invested so much in the future of the Jewish people, because he, himself, appreciated, was connected to, and was deeply rooted in the past. When one has a genuine appreciation of the past, he is concerned with, and invests the effort for the future.

***

As we read the Torah portion of Terumah, may we internalize its eternal messages, and create inner, personal “sanctuaries” that radiate holiness, positively impacting those around us. May we draw strength from our ancestral roots, and renew our commitment to the next generation, in the hope that our efforts will soon bear fruit, and G-d will wipe the tears off every face.

May G-d grant the Gordon family comfort and consolation, and may the merit of Rabbi Gordon’s Torah and good deeds stand them all in good stead.