LETS TALK

     We are benefiting greatly from all the new technology; the internet, emailing, tweeting and texting. However, with all these modern methods comes some setbacks and lost opportunities, which can result in some societal maladaptive behavior.

     I address this issue as we prepare for our Parsha Terumah, that we will be reading this Shabbat. Our Torah introduces us to the מלאכת המשכן, and all the information concerning the Temple, it's vessels and it's decor. The most important section of the Sanctuary was the קדשי קדשים where the ארון, the Ark was located . Our Torah relates that on top of the Ark were two figures, the  כרובים. In describing these Cherubs , the Torah states,

״והיו הכרובים פורשי כנפים למעלה סוככים בכנפיהם על הכפרת ופניהם איש אל אחיו אל הכפרת

יהיו  פני הכרובים״

"And the Keruvim shall spread out their wings on high, WITH THEIR FACES ONE TO ANOTHER, toward the Ark cover shall the faces of the Keruvim be."

     It is interesting that the emphasis is on the  Keruvim facing one another.

I am not denying the importance of our technological advances and the benefits we continue to gain from them, but at the same time we are losing one of the most important parts of our human experience , having a face to face interaction when we speak to one another.  Our communications border on the verge of anonymity.  When we speak without facial contact we are loosing a very important and beautiful experience of human interaction.

     My wife Mimi said it well in one of her published articles"if you do not text, tweet, email, Im, own an iPad, or not on Facebook, you are not going to have many friends to relate to". 

     I am not advocating to do away with all these advances, but rather to use the opportunity to talk to one another face to face. To have that important human interaction that Hashem exhibited to all our Biblical personalities as He spoke to them and asked איכה, where are you as a human being in your relationship with one another.

     I recall a mother telling me that her daughter texted her from her bedroom one flight up while she was in the kitchen, asking her when dinner will be ready.  All her daughter had to do was walk downstairs and ask her personally, and by doing so would have given her the opportunity to offer to help her mother with dinner.

     I recall speaking at a Shevah Brachot, and the bride was texting. ( It may very we'll be that my message was not interesting).

     My friends, I feel we are loosing valuable opportunities to come closer to one another, especially within the family itself and in our relationship with one another.

The Keruvim need to inspire us to face one another.

     Let's talk , let's communicate , but let's do so face to face, and in doing so, we will gain a greater love and respect for one another.

Please comment your feelings to this matter, I would love to hear from you even through an email or we can meet and speak face to face.

"LOOK AT ME, I AM SPEAKING TO YOU"