MEMORIES

   While driving my car, I chanced upon a radio station that was playing an old, but a very memorable song, “Memories.” The lyrics made think of the importance of Wonderful Memories that often pop up, unexpectedly, 

“Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind

Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine

Quiet thoughts come floating down

And settle softly to the ground

Like golden autumn leaves around my feet

I touched them and they burst apart with Sweet Memories,

 Sweet Memories.” 

   Life for the Jew is comprised with so many Memories,some disturbing, but many that are cherished and visited very often. 

    I recall the words of King David, in Psalm 143, זכרתי ימים מקדם, “I recalled days of old.”  Chazal explain these words are referring to Hashem, who wrought miracles for us.  This comforted me, knowing that Hashem was there for me and will always be there, for me, in the future. 

  With this thought in mind I consider Memory an art, which needs to be cultivated constantly.  That may be the reason we begin to blow the Shofar on Rosh Chodesh Elul, a  time of introspection, a time to remember our past and a time to use those Memories to instill our lives with greater meaning. 

    I feel some pangs of anxiety, as I hear people say to me, especially, the young adults, “Move on, leave the past behind, the future is ours.” 

  True, there may be Memories which deserve to be eradicated, but even those can truly help to inspire a more positive outlook to a more dynamic future. 

    I sense, without the past, progress is impossible. Memories are like a projector, focusing our experiences upon the screen of our minds, and upon the tablet of our hearts, pointing the way to new and more glorious goals and invigorating objectives. 

  How poignant is this thought, brought home to us, in this week’s Torah reading of Ekev, wherein it states, 

   “ וזכרת את הי אלוקיך, Therefore remember G-D.” 

   What are we to remember?  We are to remember to use our Memories in a way that we never lose consciousness of our special relationship with Hashem, for amnesia spells estrangement, and ruination, while Memory keeps relationships, alive, vibrant and very connected. 

   Man does not forget. G-D does not forget. 

    We always are to remember the transcendental and we do so with our Brachot. As the Torah states,”ואכלת ושבעת וברכת את הי אלוקיך, השמר לך פן תשכח את הי אלוקיך,” 

“And you shall eat and be satisfied, and bless Hashem, however beware lest you forget Hashem, and you shall remember Hashem, for He is the giver of your power". 

   Here is the essence of the power of Memories -remember Hashem and He will always remember you for Brachot. 

     Let us share these thoughts with our children and grandchildren, inspiring them with our Memories, encouraging them to create their own Memories,that will propel them into a successful future to share their memories with the next generation. 

  Memories O’Memories, How Sweet They Are.