As the sun dips below the rolling hills of Southern California, our family of 10, including eight energetic kids, I am reflecting on the day of thrills and excitement at Knott's Berry Farm. As I waited in line for the Supreme Scream ride, which catapults riders 252 feet into the air, I started to think and ponder: Why do we push ourselves to go so high?
As I gaze out at the breathtaking view from the top, a story from my yeshiva days comes flooding back. A chossid from Russia ventured to the Empire State Building, where he gazed out at the city and declared to his guide, "When you're a little bit higher, the world becomes very small." It's a poignant reminder that our perspectives on the importance of the world can shift dramatically when we take a step back and look at the world from a higher perspective.
The Rebbe once shared a similar wisdom with David Weiss, who asked, "Who can call themselves one of your chasidim?" The Rebbe's response was simple yet profound: "Someone who can say at the end of the day that they've advanced a small step higher than they were at the beginning of the day – I'd be happy to call that person a chasid of mine."
As we enter the period known as the 3 weeks, a time of mourning and remembrance for the destruction of the Holy Temple, we're reminded of the walls that once surrounded Jerusalem. Those walls were both protective and exclusionary – a poignant reminder that our perceptions of the world are limited by our own biases and boundaries.
But what if we could see the world from a higher place? What if we could transcend our own limitations and gaze out at the world with fresh eyes? The walls that once divided us are now gone and we're free to engage with the world in ways we never thought possible.
We may feel disconnected from our Jewish heritage and we may have wandered "outside the walls" of our community and haven't been engaged in many years. You are not alone and you are not forgotten. The walls that once seemed insurmountable are now gone and you are free to return to your roots whenever you're ready. It may take courage to take that first step, but I assure you that the journey will be worth it. You are capable of advancing a small step higher than you were yesterday and I invite you to join me on this journey of rediscovery and growth.
So what do you need to do to take that next step? Advance a small step higher than you have in the past. I'm working on it and I invite you to join me on this journey of self-discovery and growth.
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbos, Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
P.S. No services this week on Shabbos, but Tefillin Club is Sunday at 8:00 am.