R’ Zishe of Anipoli famously said: “When I reach heaven after 120 years, they will not ask me why I wasn’t Avrohom Avinu or Moshe Rabbeinu, but I will be asked-why I was not R’ Zishe? Why did I not fulfill the role I was given, to the fullest?”
The process of finding out who we are and developing our unique talents requires much strength and the ability to break unhealthy peer pressure. This strength, says R’ Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, one of our greatest thinkers, was given over to Avrohom Avinu: “Lech Lecha. Journey deep inside yourself.” Hashem says, “everyone is responsible for their own relationship with the Creator.”
Although the community dictates the norms (be in the box) we all have the obligation to develop our talents. We must encourage our children’s individuality by listening carefully to the song of their spirit. We must not get lost in the forest of our communities so much that we cannot find beauty in the growth of our own individual trees.
In addition, we are witness to a phenomenon that has historically led us down a thorny path. Measuring our success by the yardstick of secular society, financial success at all costs, has become our goal. Ethics are forced to take a back seat to monetary gain. This is definitely not the heritage passed down to us through the ages.
We have a clarion call to develop compassion for one another, hence we should aspire to be impeccably honest in our dealings. Growing older and more mature we must also develop emotional maturity and build each other up rather than belittle those who may not meet our “standards”.
Remember life is not a joke. Relationships with our family and spouse are the most important relationships we have. We must act each day with this truth as our guide. It is apparent that our values are not consistent with the values of the world around us. This year has taught us that more than anything else, as the war rages on and anti-Semitism grows more each day.
From the very beginning, being apart from the rest of the world has given us the strength to cultivate strong family bonds and a solid sense of who we are. Every one of us has been given special gifts from Hashem, each one of us has a song to sing. We must use those gifts to make this world a little bit better each day and never be afraid to sing our song out loud!
Lech Lecha, Hashem implores Avrohom and us as well - dig deeply until you find out who you were meant to be and what you were meant to accomplish!
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
