Rabbi's Blog

Q: What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? A: I don't know and I don't care - source unknown

Animals can be broken down into three groups: those that benefit mankind, those that harm mankind and those that seem irrelevant to mankind.

The dog is man’s best friend. The mosquito is an annoyance. The frog seems irrelevant.

People can be broken down into three groups: those that recognize a Higher Power, those that deny a Higher Power and those that the whole discussion of a Higher Power is not relevant.

Person one and two are engaged (see stories below) in the Higher Power. The third type of person should learn from the frog.

The frog that seems irrelevant to man is used to teach Pharoah that there is a Higher Power. The frog, which is cold, sacrificed its life to enter the hot Egyptian ovens, to teach them an important message: G-d is relevant and meant to listen to even if it means going against one’s nature. Even when I feel cold, apathetic or ignorant, I can follow the message received from the Egyptian frogs, as eloquently stated by Kermit the Frog:

Take a look above you,
Discover the view,
If you haven't noticed,
Please do
Please do
Please do.

Have a great Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman 

P.S. The story I promised you:

Famed Talmudic scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz invited a professor to his Talmud class at a Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He asked the professor: “Why don’t you join the class? All of your colleagues come. It’s in your building — right down the hall”. The professor responded: “I don’t belong in the class; we have nothing in common”. “What do you mean we have nothing in common?” asked the Rabbi. “You don’t understand!” said the professor. “I only eat pork! On Shabbat! Exclusively!” “Only on Shabbat?” asked Rabbi Steinsaltz. “Specifically! Spitefully! On Shabbat!” “Ahh, in that case,” said Rabbi Steinsaltz, “we do have something in common.” “What do you mean?” asked the professor. “I have my way of observing Shabbat and you have your way of observing Shabbat.” Both men are talking about celebrating Shabbat. Clearly, they both believe it is important or they would not bother to engage in the ritual and/or to object! So they actually agree on that point — Shabbat is important. They just do not agree on precisely what should be done about it!

Have you ever had a job that you loved and gave you meaning and purpose

How about a career that used your talents and was so exciting it gave you a thrill to get out of bed?

When the jobs you do are a daily grind; they don't use your talents or give you value and purpose, even if it's an "easy job", the Torah refers to them in this weeks torah portion as backbreaking labor.

The same is true about our G-d given powers, unique to our soul to fulfill our mission in this world. Using these powers simply for mundane purposes or to gain popularity, can lead to us feeling upset and, dare I say, miserable. It feels like backbreaking labor with no importance or intent.

We need to have our healthy physical needs fulfilled. However, infusing these mundane aspects of our life with spirituality and meaning, elevates them and adds value to them. Doing mitzvot and learning Torah accomplishes this on a regular basis, provides us with a focus, meaning and purpose to our lives.

By experiencing the physical within a G-dly spiritual framework, permeates it with meaning and purpose.

By connecting to G-d using our unique talents, makes them even more meaningful.

Have a meaningful Shabbos!

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman