VOLUME 20, ISSUE 35 FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 / 17 ELUL 5773
TORAH PORTION: KI-SAVO (DEUTERONOMY 26:1 – 29:8)
CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:18 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS: 8:2 PM (CHICAGO)
This week’s CTN Shabbat Fax is sponsored by Rabbi Moshe Katz and family, in honor of the second yartzeit of his brother, Rabbi Reuven Katz z”l. “Growing up you were a role model for us. We loved Torah because you loved Torah. We wanted to live elevated lives because your life was elevated!”
1. AND YOU SHALL REJOICE WITH ALL THE GOOD THAT G-D HAS GIVEN YOU … (24:11)
‘Rejoice with all the good.’
It’s a great blessing. And a very easy line to misunderstand.
And Jewish tradition tells us to remember what it really means.
Not ‘Rejoice through all the good.’
But ‘Rejoice with all the good’
Because if we know how to be happy, then having nice things is great.
Maybe even makes being happy easier.
But if we haven’t mastered the tools?
We can have all of life’s pleasures … and it won’t make a difference.
Psychologists call it ‘the American Paradox’.
As a society, we’re twice as rich as we used to be, but no happier.
In fact it looks like in many ways we’re less happy.
Two thousand years ago the Rabbis of the Talmud made a point of reminding us:
“Who is happy? He who is satisfied with his lot.”
It doesn’t mean ‘satisfied and not interested in making it better’.
But ‘satisfied’ in the sense of appreciating each little thing that we do have right now.
Focusing on what we have, not on what we don’t.
… Because that’s the true key to happiness.
There’s an old story known as ‘The Legend of the Jacket’.
About a king who was sick. His wise men tell him that to be cured he needs to wear the jacket of a truly happy man for one day.
The King sends messengers all across the land. They go to the home of a fabulously wealthy man. He has everything you could possibly want.
Surely he must be happy.
… But he’s not.
Because he’s too busy being jealous of someone who has more.
The next wealthy man?
He’s sitting up nights, worried he might lose it all.
And so on.
Finally, disappointed, they head back home.
And as they pass through the countryside, they hear the voice of a simple man singing.
“I am so happy. I worked today and got paid. Now I can go home, put some food on the table, and spend time with my family.
He sounds so truly happy. So they ask him. And he says, yes, I’m probably the happiest man in the whole world.
‘Great’, they say. ‘Because the king is sick and you can save his life!’
‘I’d love to. What do I need to do?’
‘Just lend him your jacket for a day and he’ll be cured.’
… And the man says, ‘Sorry. I don’t own a jacket.’
2. STORY OF THE WEEK
Rabbi Shmuel Salant. One of last century’s leading Rabbis and Torah scholars.
People were constantly at his door. They had questions about Jewish law. Needed advice on personal matters.
And many simply needed someone who would listen. As they poured out their heartaches and troubles.
His home was always full of people.
Until his family thought it was a bit too much.
… “Maybe you should set aside specific hours to see people.
At least then you’ll be able to rest a little during the day.”
The Rabbi’s response?
“G-d lets me pour out my heart whenever I need to.
He’s always ready to listen to me.
… G-d doesn’t have special hours.
So neither do I.”
3. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In the facades we put on for others we demonstrate our potential; through our children we reveal our reality.” (Lawrence Kelemen, To Kindle A Soul p. 195)