Awakening to a New Reality
Awakening to a New Reality I once had to be at the train station in Paris at 5:00 a.m. The place was a hullabaloo of businessmen, running to and fro, from platform to platform, in an effort to make their train on time for work. Diligent women held handbags or briefcases and rushed toward their […]
An Alarming Thought
An Alarming Thought My days are often filled and fraught with pressure. I run from place to place, taking care of various things. When I finally retire, the clock reads a small hour of the night, very close to the rising of the morning star. At 6:00 every morning, my alarm dutifully rings, awakening me […]
The Youthful Elderly
The Youthful Elderly When I was visiting a cemetery in Eretz Yisrael, I noticed an elderly woman waving her cane at me in a gesture of asking me to wait a moment. I understood that she either wanted to speak with me, or ask for a blessing in the merit of my holy ancestors, zy”a. […]
Late to Bed, Early to Rise
Late to Bed, Early to Rise Across from my house lives a man who goes to sleep extremely late every night on account of spending his hours glued to the TV set. To my utter surprise, I find that, early the next morning, all the lights are on in his house. In only two or […]
Speaking of Alacrity
Speaking of Alacrity As the assemblage stood in order to pray the Amidah in the yeshiva in Lyon, a man continued sitting, too lazy and indifferent to get up. When another man noted this, he turned to him with a question. The lazy fellow, completely forgetting that he was in a Beit Hakeneset where one […]
Scrubbing away Apathy
Scrubbing away Apathy The mother of the president of the yeshiva in Lyon is an exceptionally virtuous woman who has merited longevity. In spite of her advanced age, she would clean her house for Pesach meticulously, befitting a woman half her age. Once, when the man of the house noted her tired look as she […]
Exciting Encounters
Exciting Encounters When I was a young boy, the king of Morocco was scheduled to visit our city. I was so excited that I could not sleep the entire night before. I kept tossing and turning in bed, until I finally gave up. I decided to reserve a good spot for the next day’s celebrations. […]
Diligence
“Go to the ant, lazy one; observe its ways and become wise” (Mishlei 6:6) Metzudat David states: Lazy one, learn wisdom from the ways of the ant. The Malbim expounds: Hashem implanted into the nature of the ant the trait of industriousness. The ant collects thousands of grains of sand, while she eats only one […]
Struck with Fear
Struck with Fear From when I was a young child, Father’s method of education was by slapping me when I deserved it. He did this until I was thirty! To this day, I admire my Father, who is no longer with us, may his memory protect us. I often ask myself why I still feel […]
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words A woman distressfully recounted that her son wished to marry a gentile woman. She continued, “Honored Rabbi, what will happen if this son will assimilate with the gentiles, just like the rest of my children?” Her words caused me tremendous sorrow. I was truly pained over her plight. […]
The Freedom to Do What Is Right
The Freedom to Do What Is Right A French woman related that her children grow up in her home until the age of fifteen. At that age, she allows them to live independently, stating, “You have been raised as my children. Now you are free to live as you please and manage on your own.” […]
A Sad State of Affairs
A Sad State of Affairs I once went to console acquaintances who were mourning their father’s passing. As I stood in the entranceway of the house, I was surprised to hear music and laughter coming from within. I asked my companion if he was sure we had the right house. Sounds of joy do not […]
