Elul 17 & 18, 5774
September 12 & 13, 2014
“Therefore
observe faithfully all the terms of this covenant, which you may succeed in all
that you undertake.” Deuteronomy 29:8
A map or GPS for
success!
This portion
opens with the word “Va-Haya” which
means, ‘and it will be’. In Judaism, we
believe that you build your future based on your past. There are curses mentioned in this portion,
and instead of dwelling on them, we should proactively learn from and build
upon to help with our successful and bountiful lives! If you truly desire an uplifting life, take
the sincere time and learn from your past, build, and walk strategically to
lead to a successful life!
This applies not
only to us and our own lives, but also how we treat others, and how we act
inside and outside of our homes. Do we
treat others with respect? Do we act out of kindness? Do we offer a sincere hand when needed, and
even when not needed? Would you act
alone the same as if you were being seeing in the public’s eye?
One of my
favorite words is, “RECIPROCITY”. YOUR
goodness should not be based upon how YOU are treated, but upon how YOU treat
others. Sometimes other people act out
of fear, or ignorance, or circumstance, and who are we to judge; treat them
with respect, and just maybe, you never know, their action in the future may
just surprise you, and give you a smile, Or maybe, just maybe, your action
towards them gave them a smile!....... A true mitzvah indeed, and sometimes a
surprise too.
This reminds me
of a story that dates back to my 20’s in San Francisco. I was out with my friend, Dave, on March 16,
year unknown, (The fact that I remember the date, shows the importance that
this person that I was about to meet had on ME directly). We were ending our night, and when we stepped
outside, we were approached by two guys, one very young and one, probably in
his 40’s. Me being me, I talked to
them, and engaged in conversation. After
about a half an hour of kibitzing (talking and visiting), I invited them to eat
breakfast with us at the now defunct Clown Alley in the marina district of San
Francisco. They both said, “Yes”. We hopped in my car and drove off and once
there, I said, “Get whatever you want.” I started to really listen to both of their
storied lives, and after we ate, the younger of the two, literally got up and
ran off, and the man stayed and we visited for a bit, and we had a great and
insightful visit. I learned a lot. After our visit we went our separate
ways. About 2 months later, I was out
with another friend in a different part of the city, and needed some cash, so I
walked to a nearby ATM, and as I was withdrawing cash, what felt like a gun was
shoved in back hard, and I heard, “give me your money and DO NOT TURN AROUND
all the way!” I turned slightly around
to hand my cash over to the person with the gun in back, and I heard a voice
about a ½ block away yelling; it was the man that I met a few months earlier
and visited with in detail, as he was walking my way and told the guy with the
gun, to stop harassing his friend (Me), and grabbed him with such force, and saved
ME! A true blessing!
That story has
stayed with me for years, as I can detail that man’s face, his look, and
demeanor after many years. He remembered
me at that moment, BUT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM! This is and was such an influence of powerful impact on me
and my life! I am obviously very thankful!
As I share this story, my dad is smiling (he smiles anyway,but...) in San Francisco, as he has heard it
at least a few hundred times! What one
man did for me is what many would walk away from. I am forever grateful!
As I have shared
with my children, family and friends, “Inside Out”. Beauty is from the inside, and that only
enhances ones outside. One’s true beauty
comes from within oneself!
-Amen-
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