A Soulful Journey

 "...it was the task of shelving to give meaning to the sacrifices of the dead."   -Stephen Donaldson We are the inheritors of a great chain of tradition that stems back millennia. They strove, crafted, worked and suffered to ensure that their legacy would survive them and be handed down to generations yet unborn, you.

Rabbi Tarfon and the Elders were once reclining in the upper story of Nitza's house, in Lod, when this question was raised before them: Is study greater, or is deed? Rabbi Tarfon answered, saying: Deed is greater. Rabbi Akiba replied, saying: Study is greater. Then they all answered and said: Study is greater, for it leads to action. Talmud, Kiddushin 40b Every day learn  something  new.   Learn  Torah.

  Hayom katzar v'ha-melakhah merubah  " The day is short and the task at hand is pressing" (Pirkay Avot 2, 15). The Romans had a similar saying. Vita brevia, ars longa. "Life is short and the work is voluminous." Live each day to the fullest for tomorrow is not promised.

Judaism understands that there was an element of risk in [that it is] repetitious. Sometimes, by dint of repetition, religious rituals may become mechanical. Again, let me refer to a metaphor. What does it take to play glorious music? Great art can be appreciated only because the artist had the patience and the willingness to discipline himself.  Inspiration comes after constant practice. Paderewski is reputed to have remarked: "If I stop playing the piano one, day I feel the difference. If I stop practicing two days, the critics know the difference. If I stop practicing three days, my audience knows the difference." There is no substitute for repetition. Only by accepting constant self-discipline can we enjoy the glories of the symphony of Jewish life.

The Rabbis discussed two types of leaders: 1.     There are those who study but are of little account for they do not act. 2.     There are those who act but do not study (and as a result do not grow).

During the Depression, at great financial sacrifice, my parents bought a piano for my twin sister and me and arranged for lessons.   For many years, Mom and Dad glowed with pride as their little twins played duets at various community functions. Some 30 years later, Dad came over for dinner, and asked me to play the piano.   Warning that I hadn’t touched the keyboard in a long time, I consented.   As I played, I noticed tears running down Dad’s cheek.   I turned to him and said, “Was it that good, Dad?” He sadly shook his head and replied, “All that money, shot to hell.” - Alice Wolfe Reimche

Once when in the eighteenth century the Vilna Gaon was teaching two pupils who were distracted, gazing at a bird soaring the sky.   He asked one of them, “What were you thinking as you watched the bird?” “I was thinking of the soul ascending to heaven,” he replied. The Vilna Gaon was not a fan of mysticism so he sent him away from the class. The Gaon then turned to the second boy and repeated his question.   The boy considered and answered, “If that bird dropped dead and fell between two fences who would own the body?” His teacher exclaimed, “God be praised!   Someone knows what religion is about!” -Lionel Blue The basis of religion is faith but its import is action.

“Judaism understands that there is an element of risk in this type of program.   It is repetitious.   Sometimes, by dint of repetition, religious rituals may become mechanical.   Again, let me refer to a metaphor.   What does it take to play glorious music?   Great art can be appreciated only because the artist had the patience and the willingness to discipline himself.   Inspiration comes after constant practice.   Paderewski is reputed to have remarked: “ If I stop playing the piano one day, I feel the difference.   If I stop playing two days, the critics know the difference.   If I stop practicing three days, my audience knows the difference.”   There is no substitute for repetition.   Only by accepting constant self-discipline can we enjoy the glories of the symphony of Jewish life.”

“Words of Torah do not last….unless the student incorporates them into their life.” –Berachot 63 B Learning is important. Knowledge should always increase.   And yet unless that knowledge is accompanied by changes in behavior, of how much value is it?