Dear Friend,
What did George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus all have in common? They were all born on holidays."
What did George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus all have in common? They were all born on holidays."
Tonight is the 23rd anniversary of my birth. Every year, I try to find some kind of moral significance (which usually shouts out at me) with my birthday and take a lesson from it. Whether it be an idea of catch-22, being able to legally buy alcohol, or no longer being a teen, I have always had something easy and cheesy to share with everyone. When I thought about this year and the number "23" nothing came to me. I came to the realization that I may have to actually work to come up with something that I can learn from and share.
I waited for a nice quiet time when nobody was around. I sat on the couch, pulled out my laptop, ready to skim through birthday material on chabad.org so that I could copy and paste something that sounded very intelligent to this email when I realized that today is Thanksgiving. Now my birthday doesn't usually fall out on Thanksgiving since I celebrate my Hebrew birthday and the last time my birthday fell out on Thanksgiving was 19 years ago, way before I could come up with any pirushim.
I put some thought into what the idea of Thanksgiving could mean to me and how it could help improve me for the up and coming year.
When you thank somebody, you are acknowledging that the person gave, or did something for you. There is something for which you need to show appreciation.
Just like Mothers Day. How many times on Mothers Day did you wish your mom a happy mothers day and she's quick to respond, "My Mother would say for Jewish mothers, everyday is Mothers Day." Of course when you don't buy her a present, because she's just taken away any significance the day may show, she gets all insulted. She wants to know "Why couldn't you get your mother something?"
The truth is, she's right. If I really wanted to listen to her I should buy her a present everyday and wish her a happy Mothers Day, but instead I pick and choose as to what I want to listen to.
The same is with Thanksgiving. Heimeshe Jews don't kuch in (get into) Thanksgiving. They say we thank G-d everyday, not once, not twice, but over 100 times a day, a Jew is supposed to thank his creator.
All too often, I can go days without giving thought about those little things in life. The things that I keep offering my praises and thanks for, those things most of us take for granted. On this day, my Birthday, tradition teaches is my very own personal Rosh Hashana. We all know like the head of a person which directs the rest of the body, how and where to go,
Rosh Hashana (Rosh = head) is what gives direction and substance to the rest of the year. I am resolving to take heed to the lesson of the day and put effort into being conscious of the good and positive things in my life. so that when I do offer my countless thanks to the one above, it will be with the assurance, certainty and confidence that G-d is always looking out for me. Adding richness and fulfilment in my life.
I would like to propose at this point, to anybody still reading this, to take a minute, or even a moment and think of one good thing that has happened to you today. Now say thank you.
Some people comment to me that they don't like receiving generic emails that aren't sent just for them. With that in mind I would like to finish with a story.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe when he would respond to peoples' letters, had 3 basic types of letters with which he would respond. #1 was a typical response to a simcha and for every simcha there was one letter that the Rebbe would send with his blessings and mazzal tov on the occasion. #2 was a letter that was also a general one that the Rebbe would write every few months, which discussed either events or comming yomim tovim. This letter was usually sent to one almost automatically and if the Rebbe had something to add, he would write it on the side. #3 was a personal specific letter that the Rebbe would write just for you.
Once there was a young man who sent in a letter to the Rebbe. The Rebbe, shortly thereafter responded to his letter. When this Chossid opened the letter, he saw that it was a #2 letter and became upset. He mentioned to one of the Rebbes' secreteries that he was disappointed that he got one of the generic letters. Later on the Secretary mentioned to the Rebbe in passing that this young man was a little let down because of the letter. The Rebbe responded, "it seems my expectations of him were too high. I though that he really cared about what I'm into, if he wants me to write about what he's into, then I'll write him a personal letter." This means that since the Rebbe transcribed what was on his mind and what he felt was important, if he truly respected and looked up to the Rebbe, knowing what the Rebbes' into would have made him happy.
That being said if you would like a personal email. Reply to this one and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
A reminder- The Farbreingan will be starting at 9:00pm tonight. Lots of food and booze will be served. That includes one large-very large- Turkey.
If you do not know by now that my Farbreigan is tonight, you're probably not living in NY and are basking in the warmth of the sun somewhere, You can gey feifen.
When you thank somebody, you are acknowledging that the person gave, or did something for you. There is something for which you need to show appreciation.
Just like Mothers Day. How many times on Mothers Day did you wish your mom a happy mothers day and she's quick to respond, "My Mother would say for Jewish mothers, everyday is Mothers Day." Of course when you don't buy her a present, because she's just taken away any significance the day may show, she gets all insulted. She wants to know "Why couldn't you get your mother something?"
The truth is, she's right. If I really wanted to listen to her I should buy her a present everyday and wish her a happy Mothers Day, but instead I pick and choose as to what I want to listen to.
The same is with Thanksgiving. Heimeshe Jews don't kuch in (get into) Thanksgiving. They say we thank G-d everyday, not once, not twice, but over 100 times a day, a Jew is supposed to thank his creator.
All too often, I can go days without giving thought about those little things in life. The things that I keep offering my praises and thanks for, those things most of us take for granted. On this day, my Birthday, tradition teaches is my very own personal Rosh Hashana. We all know like the head of a person which directs the rest of the body, how and where to go,
Rosh Hashana (Rosh = head) is what gives direction and substance to the rest of the year. I am resolving to take heed to the lesson of the day and put effort into being conscious of the good and positive things in my life. so that when I do offer my countless thanks to the one above, it will be with the assurance, certainty and confidence that G-d is always looking out for me. Adding richness and fulfilment in my life.
I would like to propose at this point, to anybody still reading this, to take a minute, or even a moment and think of one good thing that has happened to you today. Now say thank you.
Some people comment to me that they don't like receiving generic emails that aren't sent just for them. With that in mind I would like to finish with a story.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe when he would respond to peoples' letters, had 3 basic types of letters with which he would respond. #1 was a typical response to a simcha and for every simcha there was one letter that the Rebbe would send with his blessings and mazzal tov on the occasion. #2 was a letter that was also a general one that the Rebbe would write every few months, which discussed either events or comming yomim tovim. This letter was usually sent to one almost automatically and if the Rebbe had something to add, he would write it on the side. #3 was a personal specific letter that the Rebbe would write just for you.
Once there was a young man who sent in a letter to the Rebbe. The Rebbe, shortly thereafter responded to his letter. When this Chossid opened the letter, he saw that it was a #2 letter and became upset. He mentioned to one of the Rebbes' secreteries that he was disappointed that he got one of the generic letters. Later on the Secretary mentioned to the Rebbe in passing that this young man was a little let down because of the letter. The Rebbe responded, "it seems my expectations of him were too high. I though that he really cared about what I'm into, if he wants me to write about what he's into, then I'll write him a personal letter." This means that since the Rebbe transcribed what was on his mind and what he felt was important, if he truly respected and looked up to the Rebbe, knowing what the Rebbes' into would have made him happy.
That being said if you would like a personal email. Reply to this one and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
A reminder- The Farbreingan will be starting at 9:00pm tonight. Lots of food and booze will be served. That includes one large-very large- Turkey.
If you do not know by now that my Farbreigan is tonight, you're probably not living in NY and are basking in the warmth of the sun somewhere, You can gey feifen.
-- Be well,
Vintage jeans
A smile, by the way, can change somebody's day!
P.S. Tomorrow I will be going to the Rebbes' gravesite to pray. If you would like me to pray for you or somebody you know to ask for any requests please let me know by tomorrow morning. If you're going to email me, be sure to tell me the Jewish name and mothers name.
P.S. Tomorrow I will be going to the Rebbes' gravesite to pray. If you would like me to pray for you or somebody you know to ask for any requests please let me know by tomorrow morning. If you're going to email me, be sure to tell me the Jewish name and mothers name.
posted by vintage jeans @ 5:26 PM
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