Make the distant near – Cleveland Jewish News
Posted By admin on September 19, 2020
There was a group of Jewish students who were traveling through Malawi in southern Africa. This was back in the 90s so no smartphones, no Google maps, no GPS. Instead, they were relying on a good old-fashioned map. (Do they still print those?)
It was Friday morning and they planned to get to the town of Monkey Bay in time for Shabbat. According to their map, they had two options. They could either take a so-called major highway (i.e. paved road) that would span over 125 miles. Their second option was a smaller dirt road traversing about 75 miles. Wanting to enjoy the scenic views of Malawis backcountry with the added benefit of reaching their destination more quickly, giving them time to prepare before sunset. They chose the shorter road.
They were in for a major surprise. As they were traveling, suddenly, the road came to an abrupt cliff. In front of them was a river. Across the river, they could see the continuation of the road just as depicted on the map. The only problem was there was no bridge.
They learned that the shortest route may not be the quickest course to your endpoint. They ended up camping on the side of the road for a truly unique Shabbat in the African wilderness.
There is a Talmudic story which goes very similar:
Said Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah: Once a child got the better of me.
I was traveling, and I met with a child at a crossroads. I asked him, which way to the city? and he answered: This way is short and long, and this way is long and short.
I took the short and long way. I soon reached the city but found my approach obstructed by gardens and orchards. So, I retraced my steps and said to the child: My son, did you not tell me that this is the short way?
Answered the child: Did I not tell you that it is also long? (Talmud, Eruvin 53b)
We read last week the parsha of Nitzavim where it tells us that the Torah and its precepts are something that is very close to you, in your mouth, in your heart, that you may do it.
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad movement, devotes his entire book of Tanya to explain this verse. In life, he explains, something may be very near to us. But if we attempt to access it with shortcuts, it may ultimately backfire. With the proper effort and commitment, we will truly see our accomplishments.
Sometimes, taking the long route is actually the best way to make the distant near.
As we stand just one week away from Rosh Hashana let us recognize that teshuva (coming closer to Hashem and our true selves) and attaining our goals are within reach.
The only question is: Will we cut corners and seek short cuts?
Rabbi Berel Sasonkin is co-director with his wife, Rochel, of Chabad at Kent State University in Kent.
Originally posted here:
Make the distant near - Cleveland Jewish News
- I resisted the call to include non-male voices every time I taught Torah. Then I tried it. - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - January 4th, 2021
- Law professor Ray Bernstein, 56, dies in bike accident - The Jewish News of Northern California - January 4th, 2021
- Let's head into the new year in a new frame of mind - The Jewish News of Northern California - January 4th, 2021
- The Purpose Of Chassidus In The Alter Rebbe's Own Words - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - January 4th, 2021
- Opinion/Keep the Faith: Hanukkah reminds us of light and hope, even in dark times - Worcester Telegram - December 19th, 2020
- Opinion: The true meaning of Hanukkah (hint, it's not about joy) - The Detroit News - December 19th, 2020
- Is the Temple Menorah Hidden in the Vatican? - Questions & Answers - Chabad.org - December 19th, 2020
- Circumcision, Berzerkeley, and the Power of Five Minutes - Chabad.org - December 19th, 2020
- He Flew in From London for Reasons He'd Never Imagined - Chabad.org - December 19th, 2020
- Rabbis and Jewish ethicists hail vaccine for COVID-19, encourage its use - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - December 19th, 2020
- Why it's kosher to go a little wild with the Hanukkah swag - Los Angeles Times - December 16th, 2020
- Increasing the Light of Allyship This Hanukkah - Jewish Journal - December 16th, 2020
- Why it's kosher to bring a little zing to the Hanukkah celebration - Bangor Daily News - December 16th, 2020
- Is the Menorah Hidden in the Vatican? - Chabad.org - December 16th, 2020
- Community mourns the passing of former CJC president Goldie Hershon - The Suburban Newspaper - December 16th, 2020
- Perseverence Vs. Perfection - An Essay on Vayigash - Kabbalah, Chassidism and Jewish Mysticism - Chabad.org - December 16th, 2020
- The New Generation of LGBTQ Jews and Tattoos - jewishboston.com - December 16th, 2020
- Men have dominated Jewish texts for most of history. These women are trying to change that. - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - December 11th, 2020
- I knew Hanukkah celebrated defeating the Greeks. Then I moved to Athens and the story got complicated. - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - December 11th, 2020
- What are good vegetarian dishes to have on Shabbat? - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - December 11th, 2020
- Five Brave Men and One Brave Woman - Judah the Maccabee and his siblings - Chabad.org - December 11th, 2020
- Hanukkah in Fall River Zooming live courtesy of Temple Beth El - Fall River Herald News - December 11th, 2020
- You Take Christmas, I'll Take Hanukkah | Michael Harvey | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - December 11th, 2020
- Bursting the bubble: Even the Rabbis perpetuated a "hoax!" - jewishpresspinellas - December 11th, 2020
- All up in lights - The River Reporter - December 11th, 2020
- Hanukkah This year and next - Forward - December 11th, 2020
- Dozens of Impressive Siyumim for Volume 5 of the Mishnah Berurah, In the Second Cycle of the Daf Hayomi in Halachah Were Held - Yeshiva World News - December 11th, 2020
- To Be A Wise Guy (Part I) - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - December 11th, 2020
- What most Jews don't realise about festival with more gifts than Christmas - The Age - December 11th, 2020
- Jewish digital library gets better and now were in it - The Jewish Standard - November 19th, 2020
- Interfaith: Even when we disagree, we should respect others - VC Star - November 19th, 2020
- Ask a busy person and you'll get the job done - The Jewish Star - November 19th, 2020
- Ibogaine Clinic Treats Suboxone Addiction and Is Saving Lives - Influencive - November 19th, 2020
- Parshat Chayei Sarah and the Wisdom of Old Age - Algemeiner - November 19th, 2020
- Synonyms in the Hebrew Language Boys & Girls (Part 1 of 2) - The Jewish Voice - November 19th, 2020
- Parashat Toldot: Opening the Conversation - My Jewish Learning - November 19th, 2020
- Boys And Girls (Part I) - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - November 19th, 2020
- Is Israel being SMART with COVID-19? | Mendel Weinberger - The Times of Israel - November 19th, 2020
- Ruth Calderon to be WZO president - The Jerusalem Post - October 30th, 2020
- Why are the Jews called the people of the Book? - The Jerusalem Post - October 30th, 2020
- Straight rabbis need to offer LGBTQ Jews so much more than just wedding ceremonies - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - October 30th, 2020
- Elijah the Prophet - My Jewish Learning - October 30th, 2020
- Christians have struggled to understand Judaism on its own terms - The Christian Century - October 30th, 2020
- Why Orthodox Jews believe studying Torah protects from COVID-19 - Haaretz.com - October 30th, 2020
- The Plight of MENA Religious Minorities: A War for Civilization? - The Media Line - October 30th, 2020
- Straight rabbis need to offer LGBTQ Jews more than just wedding ceremonie - The Jerusalem Post - October 30th, 2020
- Mikvah off the Coast of Tokyo - First-Person Stories - Chabad.org - October 30th, 2020
- Finally, a podcast that addresses our crisis of meaning - Big Think - October 30th, 2020
- Haredim add to COVID-19 complications in Israel - Cleveland Jewish News - October 30th, 2020
- Amy Coney Barrett needs a Talmudic view of the Constitution J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 28th, 2020
- Opinion | What the Talmud can teach Amy Coney Barrett about 'Originalism' - Forward - October 28th, 2020
- A Jewish Guide to Dealing With Demons - jewishboston.com - October 28th, 2020
- The Vibe of the Tribe Podcast: Monsters and Demons in Jewish Folklore - jewishboston.com - October 28th, 2020
- In praise of the yeshiva and yet something crucial is missing - Forward - October 28th, 2020
- A 500-Year-Old Rif - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - October 28th, 2020
- I grew up in Orthodox Brooklyn. We must apply the same COVID-19 standards for all and Jews must choose life. - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - October 28th, 2020
- Unity's no goal when not everyone's the same - The Jewish Star - October 28th, 2020
- Prop 14: Don't Stand Idly By - Jewish Journal - October 28th, 2020
- Choose life! That's the Jewish way, and it hasn't changed - The Times of Israel - October 28th, 2020
- Learn how to respond to gossip - The Altamont Enterprise - October 28th, 2020
- The Jewish people have much to thank President Trump for - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - October 28th, 2020
- Judaism can provide the answer to our current crisis of leadership - The Jerusalem Post - October 28th, 2020
- Lubavitch Announces Emissary to the United Arab Emirates - Chabad.org - October 28th, 2020
- 'Bound in the Bond of Life' Anthology Published on Two-Year Commemoration of Massacre - Jewish Exponent - October 28th, 2020
- What Rabbi And Rebbetzin Kramer Want You To Know About Their Daughter Gitty - Yeshiva World News - October 28th, 2020
- A Talmudic duel with Death comes to life in mosaic form in new book - Forward - October 16th, 2020
- Why Is the Torah Read at Shabbat Minchah? - Chabad.org - October 16th, 2020
- Why Do Some Letters in the Torah Have 'Crowns'? - Chabad.org - October 16th, 2020
- 7 Facts About the Traveler's Prayer Every Jew Should Know - Prayer - Chabad.org - October 16th, 2020
- Prop. 18 is vital for teens who want and deserve to vote - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 16th, 2020
- Apostolic asides: 29 brief insights from footnotes Latter-day Saint leaders added to conference talks - East Idaho News - October 16th, 2020
- Amy Coney Barrett may threaten access to IVF, and Jewish fertility advocates are worried - Forward - October 16th, 2020
- Sedra of the Week: Shemini Atzeret | Jewish News - Jewish News - October 10th, 2020
- The Day We Stop in the Name of Love - Jewish Exponent - October 10th, 2020
- JUF News | Less-than-perfect? Perfectly fine: The lesson of the three-walled sukkah - Jewish United Fund - October 8th, 2020
- Simhat Torah in the corona age - The Jerusalem Post - October 8th, 2020
- Dont Forsake Family Traditions - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - October 8th, 2020
- Jewish tradition supports expanding the Supreme Court - Forward - October 8th, 2020
- Shmini Azeret and Simchat Torah - The Jewish Voice - October 8th, 2020
- My shul did everything right and the government still shut us down. Theyre right. - Forward - October 8th, 2020
Comments