How a pile of pillows taught me how to repair my Tzitzit:

Debbie and I had to be in the airport at 6am, and we had worked until 2am, so we shoved the basics into our suitcases and rushed to the airport. I unpacked this morning to find that I had stuffed the wrong Tzitzit into the bag. My sister-in-law had washed them, and, unfamiliar with Tzitzit, put them in the dryer. All the strings are tangled. I sat down on the bed and began to untangle, straighten, and retie the strings. I wasn’t happy.

I guess my impatience with having to untangle all the strings distracted me from the Mitzvah because I noticed that the bed was surprisingly comfortable even when sitting and unwinding tightly tangled strings.

Our hostess is a genius of Chesed: She placed a bunch of pillows on the bed, each one a different type and size. We could combine them into whatever is most comfortable for us. I laid out all the pillows on the bed and, unlike most of us, who simply place pillows on the bed, our hostess provided sizes, shapes, different types, all color coded. It was clear that she pays attention to every detail of her guests’ comfort.

Here I was, sitting on a bed that reflected attention to detail, repairing Tzitzit, with not so great attention to detail, but there was another difference; I want to only wear Tzitzit that are Halachically perfect. Our hostess wanted everything to be perfect for her guests.

I decided to emulate our hostess, and focused on the Tzitzit being perfect, not for me, but for the Mitzvah. Who knew what you could learn from a pile of pillows!

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

I received the following story in an email and thought how appropriate the message is for Elul and Rosh Hashanah:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn.  After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked…

 

‘Just a minute, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.  After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.


There were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.  She kept thanking me for my kindness.

 

‘It’s nothing’, I told her… ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’

‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly…

‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.


I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice… ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.  They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.


’How much do I owe you?’  She asked, reaching into her purse.

‘Nothing,’ I said

‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.

‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said.  ‘Thank you.’

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light… Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life…

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
 It’s the little things that mean the most. 

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

You won’t get any big surprise in 10 days if you send this to ten people. But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on and reminding us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.

Thank you, my friend…

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

Eliezer rose to new heights when he accepted his mission. (See An Appreciation of Eliezer) He was lifted into a new reality and was able to travel long distances in just moments. He tasted his own experience of the Infinite, not as an observer of Abraham, but as himself. He knew that God was guiding him. Abraham had promised that an angel would assist him in fulfilling his mission. Yet, he prayed for God’s help, and, even more remarkably, used his own judgment rather than simply rely on his special help.

Eliezer determined on his own that the proper wife for Isaac would practice Chesed – kindness – almost equal to Abraham’s. “With her I will know that you did kindness with my master Abraham.”

Eliezer determined that there was only one thing that could prove God’s kindness to his master. Abraham was wealthy, powerful, honored, and had a son when he was 100 years old. None of that would convince Eliezer that God had done kindness to Abraham.

He decided for which qualities to look and he decided that his success would be the only absolute proof of God’s kindness. His magical journey was not enough, nor was the presence of an angel at his side. How did Eliezer know?

He was convinced that Chesed can be qualified as successful only if it led to more Chesed in the future. Eliezer determined that all of God’s Chesed to Abraham could only be determined as true if Eliezer succeeded in finding a woman who would ensure that Chesed would continue as a primary quality of this family and nation.

We often feel good after performing a kindness. Eliezer reminds us to hesitate before rejoicing in our success: “Wait and see,” says Eliezer, “if your Chesed leads to more. Only then will you know that your kindness was successful.”

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

In the merit of Eliezer Halevi ben Raizel. May the Almighty visit him, as He did Abraham, and bring a complete recovery.

How can young children, who are far away from a sick grandparent, fulfill the Mitzvah of visiting the ill?

Children are often frightened when illness strikes a close relative. They confront mortality and often feel helpless. However, there are many things they can do to fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim:

1. Call regularly and write letters and cards that express the child’s constant love for the sick person.

2. They should ask the person about them. They should not just speak of themselves.

3. They should accept to perform a Mitzvah with extra care in the merit of their sick relative.

4. They should be extra supportive of their parent who is dealing with a sick parent of their own. The Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim is not only to help the person who is sick: It includes supporting the caregiver so that he feels stronger is caring for his parent.

5. They should convey messages that will offer nachas to the grandparent who is ill.

6. They should be encouraged to use their creativity in fulfilling both Bikkur Cholim and honoring their parent who is dealing with the sick relative.

Parents have a special opportunity to teach their children about Honoring Parents and Bikkur Cholim when there is someone in the family who is ill. It is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Parents should also take time to speak with their children and allow them to express their fears.

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

How do the Sages know that God came to visit the ill? Because God did not come to heal Abraham. He sent the angel Raphael for that mission.

Is it possible that God would appear to Abraham and he would not be immediately healed? It seems as if God wanted to separate between His visit to Abraham and the magical healing offered by Raphael.

I spent years in a sick bed, in horrible circumstances, wishing that God would appear. I did not pray for that appearance because I wanted to be healed. I, of course, prayed for healing. But what I really wanted was clarity. I prayed to understand what God was teaching me through my illness.

The Sages are teaching us that when God appeared to Abraham it was not to heal. An appearance was not necessary for a magical cure. God wanted to simply visit and share the moment with Abraham.

When we visit the ill we are tempted to “do” whatever we can to help, and we forget the magic of the simple visit.

People disappear when you are sick for a long time. They are frustrated by their inability to help. They have no idea what the simple visit can do for the person who is stuck in bed. The visitor comes for the person who is sick. The ‘helper’ usually comes for himself.

There is a powerful moment of connection when the visitor says; “I came to see how you are.” It helps more than any medicine. This is why the Sages teach us that God came to visit, not to heal.

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

I love asking people if they feel that God loves them. Most respond, “Yes!” I then ask the more challenging question: “How do you know?” That’s when it becomes interesting.

I invite you to join me in raising a toast to God, Who made it very clear to me, once again, that He must really love me: I met my son for coffee late last night, and in the course of our conversation he told me that he decided to randomly ask people whether they have ever experienced God in their lives. I felt that God was hugging me. One of the most important goals in my life is for my children to experience God’s Presence in their lives, and my son was speaking to me about feeling God in his life. L’Chaim, God! Thank You.

And, there’s more: My son described his experience of God in his life: He works with severely mentally and physically handicapped children. (He can’t begin to imagine the intensity of my admiration for him.) He spoke of the beauty of the souls of the severely autistic children for whom he cares. There is one young man who is terribly deformed and cannot move. My son spends an hour each day cleaning his young charge and then carefully stretching the boy’s muscles. He is exhausted, soaked with perspiration and aching from spending an hour bent over a hospital bed working with the boy. When the stretching is finished, the boy, who cannot communicate with others, moves his mouth in a tiny smile and sighs with pleasure. “When I see that smile and hear that sigh, I can see the beauty of his soul. I feel that God has given me a gift to be able to bring such joy to someone else. At that moment, I feel God’s involvement in my life.”

My reaction to hearing anyone, but especially a child, describe such an experience, is to lift my glass to God and say, “L’Chaim. Thanks.” I invite you to join me.

Author Info:

Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

A WOMAN was flying from Seattle to San Francisco . Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.

He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, ‘Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?’ The blind lady replied, ‘No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.’

Picture this:

All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

True story… Have a great day and remember…

… THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR.

A DAY WITHOUT LAUGHTER IS A DAY WASTED!!!

We pray for people who are ill in every Amidah, and with countless prayers and psalms. What do we mean when we ask for healing? Do the different definitions change the focus of the prayer?

For example: Isaiah 58:8: “Your healing will speedily sprout.” This image of healing as sprouting can be used for someone who has begun to recover from an illness and we want to acknowledge the sprouting of healing and nurture it further. Perhaps we can use this idea when we describe God in the second blessing of the Amidah as the “Healer of the Ill”. The descriptions of God in this blessing are forms of praise: “You, Who are the healer, as we see that the healing has sprouted, will surely heal those for whom we pray.”

Kings I 18:30: “Elijah repaired the ruined altar of God.” Rashi explains the Hebrew word for repair – Rofeh – as rebuilding. It is often not enough for someone who was seriously ill to be healed. Many lives are destroyed by illness and we pray that the healing will include rebuilding and repair.

The word Rofeh is related to Rafa – to soften. When we visit and care for someone who is ill we can soften the blow of the illness.

I invite you to share your insights into the words for healing with all of us.

Author Info:

Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.