JEWISH HOME LA

Dear Readers,

Summer vacation – nice weather, people more relaxed, extra time on our hands. Perfect time to internalize the accomplishments of the past year.

The first eight months are mainly spent toiling at work. Meetings, checklists, focusing on accomplishing as many goals as we can. We don’t really have the time to appreciate all that we have, be it a home, family, a spouse, children, etc. There are simply too many tasks at hand to breathe in and marvel at how much we already have.

There’s a saying “You don’t appreciate what you have until you don’t have it.” Perhaps we can change it to a bit less somber message that “You don’t appreciate what you have until you are not occupied with it;” only when we take a step back do we fully notice the beautiful people and many possessions in our lives.

If we spend a few minutes on the next family trip or BBQ focusing on our surroundings, we might be surprised at how wonderful our lives already are.

We learn in Pirkei Avos, “Hevei mispallel bishlomo shel malchus sheilmalei mora’oi ish es re’ehu chaim blao,” one should pray for the success of the Government, were it not for people fearing them man would swallow the other alive. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the dedication and hard work by the LAPD and police forces throughout the country ensuring that we can live in a peaceful and lawful society.

Focusing on the occasional rotten apple as if it was the rule or widespread is both untrue and wrong. It shows a lack of appreciation for their dedication to protect and serve the society we are blessed to live in.

May we experience the time when there will be no more jealousy or rivalry…and the pursuit of all nations will be to know G-d.

It’s happening; let’s be ready.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,

Shalom