ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE – March 1,2023
Shalom dear
readers:
As we travel on the train of life, what is our mood - thankfulness,
worry, fear, or sadness? Are we mostly feeling down and worried as to what
comes next? What more must we face?
Purim is almost upon us. Suddenly smiles break out on children’s faces
(and it has an impact on us adults as well), and the country is alive with
excitement and happiness. We share with others; we come into contact with so
many people and in so many places. How do we cope with so much of that positive
feeling of joy and merriment amidst all that is going on around us?
In our synagogues, our homes, and during smachot, we sing with such
vigor “HODOO LASHEM KI TOV!” We also sing this “anthem” of HODOO to celebrate
our crossing of the Red Sea at our Pesach Seder. We rise with joy when we
remember overcoming the enemy during the Yom Kippur war. Are we aware of all
the special good feelings we have when we celebrate family weddings, births or engagements?
Can we hold onto more of these wonderful feelings from these special occasions?
Or are we too worried to enjoy the moment because we are afraid of when
we will have to leave the train of life? Can we enjoy our ride on the train of
life, despite the fact that at some point we will have to depart from the train
of life? Are we wasting precious time that we have at the moment to enjoy our
ride? What good deed have we done today to someone we know, or to a stranger in
need?
I would like to share with you a simple kind act I encountered from a
stranger on the street whom I have never seen before. A man passed near us and asked
me if I would like two tangerines that he had just picked fresh and reassured
me that it was kosher. Such a lovely gesture - to give away from the few
tangerines in his crop to an unknown person, and how he left us so happy with
his gesture to share. We were so happy to be bestowed so nicely from a fellow
observant Jew. He demonstrated to me the concept of .יד לוחצת יד One person
showing kindness to a stranger is a win/win situation - he is pleased, we are
pleased. I felt he was a messenger from G. showing there are good, caring people
in the world. On his train of life, he is showing friendship, reaching out one
to another, and promoting positive reactions aboard.
I close with a song in my heart and soul of “HODOO LASHEM KI TOV”, for
all what we DO have, and for his grace amongst our fellow travels on our train
ride of life.
Until we meet again, G. willing, in April 2023.
CHW
