Page 3 - The Jewsish Voice - August '20

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the rabbis

Using Time Wisely Little Strategic Deeds and what one deserves and what makes sense. But because
we do more than is demanded and thank Him even for
By Rabbi Paul Arberman Their Great Results the smallest portion of food, God acts commensurate to
There is a short story our own behavior and forgives us.
told in The Little Prince by By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui This also explains why the Bible, when describing the
Antoine de Saint-Exupery What does the unique God-given ability of the human race to exercise
in which the little prince performance of what free choice — an opportunity to choose bad and as a result
talks to a merchant who sells appear to be insignificant draw curses upon ourselves, or to choose good and draw
pills that had been invented commandments have to do blessings — presents this ability as one that comes from
to quench thirst. You would with God going out of His the deepest, most powerful parts of God Himself, i.e., the
only need to swallow one pill way for us? deepest dimensions of our souls.
a week and you’d be all set. Why is it written that In other words, making bad choices will blemish our
“Why are you selling because we go out of our deepest identity as humans.
those?” asked the little prince. way to thank God for the “God made them straightforward,” but the farther a
“Because they save a tremendous amount of time,” answered food He gives us, we are person falls from goodness, the more he becomes like an
the merchant. “Computations have been made by experts. With blessed in undeserved, elastic band pulled backward. It can only happen because
these pills, you save fifty-three minutes in every week.” marvelous ways? of the great and very deep Godly powers He endowed
“And what do I do with those fifty-three minutes?” And one other thing: When we do not do what God within each one of us. God who is so powerful allows
“Anything you like...” wants and we go against His wishes, why is there the his strength to reach the deepest abysses of darkness.
“As for me,” said the little prince to himself, “if I had greatest of goodness hidden in our negative actions? However, it is necessarily in such circumstances, when
fifty-three minutes to spend as I liked, I should walk at my We are all familiar with contracts, especially the one finds himself there and realizes how low he has fallen,
leisure toward a spring of fresh water.” contracts of friendship and marriage. One of the reasons that he can and will rebound to become so much stronger
The story reminds me of the crazy nature of our lives in to draw up a contract between friends is because, on the through his experience.
which we have so many time-saving appliances in our homes remote chance that later on one’s feelings change, the Never underestimate little acts, and those that come
and yet we don’t seem to have extra time. We work harder contract guarantees the commitment will not be reduced out of the dark and difficult situations. It is through them
and harder in order to have and enjoy free time. Judaism from its state at the present. A covenant transforms the that we find the greatest of blessings and forgiveness.
takes a different approach. We don’t work so that we can current mutual feelings to an eternal obligation, even if Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad
have free time nor do we have free time on Shabbat so that later on it may be irrational to follow through. House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
we can return to work refreshed and renewed. Rather, we are The same is true of God’s covenant and promises. It Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www.
enjoined to work during the week because that has value and guarantees His pledge and flow of blessings eternally. chabadpalmbeach.org.
we are required to take time off for Shabbat and holidays for How and why is this the case? When a person
their own sake. Both work and rest are separate parts of life approaches his service of God in such a way that every From the Rabbis on page 4
and each should be enjoyed on their own terms. opportunity to serve is looked at with equal enthusiasm,
One of the things that I have come to appreciate as I age whether or not it is significant, the person’s own action ATTENTION
is that the Western world emphasizes quality time. I should exhibits that logic itself; big or small, significant or not,
make plans to take a walk with my children. I should have all is set aside because of a relationship that transcends
a date night with my wife. The family should make dinner logic. READERS
together. These are all good things. Judaism has a slightly This, in turn, causes God to deal with this individual
different take and emphasizes quality time within quantity in the very same way. Whether he deserves or doesn’t This Jewish Community newspaper
time. Shabbat is about 25 hours. Rosh Hashanah is two full deserve God’s good grace, logic is set aside in order to is monthly direct mailed to 8,000
(separate) days. It takes the pressure off of making quality reciprocate and extend kindness not necessarily according
time succeed within a limited time-frame. With quantity time, to the regular rules or of the logic that God Himself set homes. Please support your Jewish
important conversations can bubble up naturally and are not up. businesses and newspaper
limited to schedules and appointments. With quantity time we This explains why the Midrash says, “God forgives by advertising and sending your
let our loved ones know that they are the goal or the point of His people and shows His countenance and good favor
what we do, and they are not simply fit in to our busy lives. because, although the Bible says, ‘You will eat and be events and photos!
Judaism uses time as a tool that forces us to bring focus, satisfied and bless God your God,’ only after you are We appreciate your business.
structure, and meaning to our weeks, months, and years. But satisfied are you obligated to say grace, yet they have
don’t think of it as a tight schedule. As we read in Kohelet, accepted to say thanks even when they eat the smallest 561-741-7770
“To every thing there is a time.” For me, that means we should portion of an olive.”
work hard and play hard — and then take a leisurely walk Showing a good face and forgiving is similar to the www.seabreezepublications.com
toward a fresh spring of water. concept of an oath and covenant. In the same way that
Rabbi Paul Arberman is spiritual leader at Temple Beth carrying through with the commitment of an oath will
David in Palm Beach Gardens transcend logic, forgiveness many times goes beyond

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