POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

    As we approach the inspiring Yom Tov of Rosh Hashanah it is well to consider the idea that, "Life is change." In fact, life is 'constant' change. Life never stands still. This is what makes life such a great challenge, for we always realize that life is always in the process of "becoming."

  With this idea in mind we can come to the following conclusion, "life is not about comfort but it is about choosing meaning." 

   Today more than ever we must begin to find the "meaning" in life and then to begin to achieve that "meaning."

   With this thought in mind, I recall an awesome story that continually inspires me during this very spiritual time on our Jewish calendar, when we beseech Hashem to bestow his Divine Blessing upon us.  

    The Klausenberger Rebbe came to this country after the Holocaust, where his wife and his 11 children perished. The first Shabbos he was in America the Torah reading included the section known as the 'tochecha'- the curses that will befall our people if we stray from G-D and His Torah. The custom is that the Torah reader reads this part of the parsha very softly and rushes through it. The Rebbe upon hearing him read in this unusual fashion, began to shout

 "Hecher, hecher, hecher, louder, louder." The Baal Koreh  continued to rush through the reading, and the Rebbe in a loud voice said, "Chap nisht, chap nisht, slow down, slow down."

   After the davening the worshippers inquired of the Rebbe, "Why did you you react in such a way?" The Rebbe replied, "I want G-D to hear each word and to realize that each one of the curses has been fulfilled. Now it is time for Hashem to send us His Blessings.  

   What an awesome statement of life, to inspire us to live lives that will inspire Hashem to  infuse our actions with Blessings. 

    The Klausenberger Rebbe did just that. He went to Israel and built a magnificent  moshav and a hospital, and began to reach out to so many people with acts of Chesed. This is the way to change our lives and to bring the true Yeshuah to 

עם ישראל. 

These are the days that I strongly believe in the power of the human spirit. These are times that need the concept that we live בצלם אלוקים and to project this image  in the way we react to the needs of mankind. 

    Will the Shofar be blown and will we react to its call to man to change his behavioral pattern and bring a sense of Arevous that will herald a time of peace and tranquility to עם ישראל? It all depends on all of us as יחידים as well as involving the entire כלל.

  I wonder "Will we hear the Shofar of Geulah, and how will we react to its call?״

   Please share, with me, your 'personal feelings' and 'thoughts' as we approach these Days of Awe.  

   Wishing everyone a שנת חיים טובים וארוכים.