Thursday, November 03, 2011

CLD #417



Please read theCLD for the Refua Shlema of Mishael ben Devorah (had kidney stones surgery today), Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.
I wish everyone understood Hebrew. Its just so difficult to go on Chabad.org and try to explain the Hebrew words of the Holy Tanach when the English translation sounds so bland. I was going to bring something from Yehoshu’a, which is a book from Nevi’im (Prophets), but the English translation doesn’t sound good enough.
Anyway, bH I have the opportunity of going on the subway three or four times daily, so there are so many experiences and stories, but tonight let’s focus on something else. For anyone who lives in New York, they know the subway platform has this thick yellow line that one should stand behind in order to prevent any types of dangers before the train is brought into the station. Besides for the fact that the yellow line is the grossest thing in the world becomes its covered with gum and garbage stains, it reminds a Jew of some crucial Chizuk (religious inspiration).
What is that Chizuk? Life is filled with different times to do different things. Sometimes we need to use our logic and just do what common knowledge tells us. Sometimes we need to throw away this logic and just do what Hashem is telling us, which is taught by Rabbis and Religious Texts (such as Shulchan Aruch, Pirkei Avot, and the list is endless).
How does the Yellow Line on the Subway Platform tell us this?
Before the Train pulls into the station/platform, an automated MTA Message is announced on the Subway Loudspeaker telling all the passengers to stand behind the yellow line when the train is pulling into the station to be cautious and watch out for any dangers. However, after the train pulls into the station and the Subway Train Doors open, there is no loudspeaker to tell you to cross that line, and this is obvious. Why should there be? All passengers, even children, know it is the correct time to walk into the train.
How can we relate this to our lives? There are times when it seems like riding the Religious Train is appropriate, and we are even told to NOT jump into Religion to quickly, because it is dangerous for the future in regards to consistency and staying spiritual forever. Meaning for certain things in Judaism one should take it step by step and follow the Torah in a slower process.
However, there are times when the Train is opened for you to get in it and enjoy the benefits of being Religious, but somehow you just logically think its best to stay behind the yellow line and NOT JUMP IN. But that’s crazy, the Train is opened and it’s for your benefit!!! Throw away the stupid logic of staying behind and go enjoy yourself a stress-free subway ride instead of walking! What’s a very clear example? Going Clubbing. Things that are related to purity and opposite-sex attraction are usually the NUMBER ONE reason that people have connection issues with Hashem and religion. But it’s obvious that the Torah does NOT promote, and even more so warns about the dangers of following these bodily pleasures, so why does everyone do it? Because they cannot think, really think about the future and who they are and where they grew up, to see that staying behind this ‘yellow line’ and follow these animal-like behaviors is NOT the way to live the most beneficial life.

B’H we should all stick this concept in our heads really well, to UNDERSTAND that all Hashem wants is for us to be in the BEST standards. After all, if Hashem created EVERYTHING and you believe in Him, then obviously He would command us something that is ONLY for our OWN GOOD. Hashem reaches His hand out to us everyday, we just need to decide to WANT IT.

Will you be running after your body’s needs Friday night or enjoying a Shabbat feast by bonding with your family and (at the same time) feed your Neshama (soul)?

SHABBAT SHALOM!

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