Hi,
I recently saw something I wanted to share.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens.
But sometimes we look so long at the closed door?
That we don’t see the one that has opened.”
… I think it’s a great approach to life.
And a very Jewish approach.
But when someone says something like this?
I sometimes wonder.
What was their life like?
Did they have a challenging life and still manage to have this perspective?
Or did they have a relatively easy life.
And maybe?
It’s just talk.
… I was amazed to see who said these words.
Who was able to see past their challenges and focus on a brighter future?
And to look for the new door of opportunity that might be opening?
It was Helen Keller!
A person who couldn’t see and couldn’t hear!
And the movie about her life was called the “Miracle Worker”!
… We all have our challenges.
Sometimes they can be extremely difficult.
And sometimes its “one of those days”.
But thinking of Helen Keller can give us a perspective on life.
We should thank G-d for something that we tend to take for granted.
The gift of sight! The ability to see!
We all know the amazing things we’re able to see.
A beautiful baby.
(And if that baby is a grandchild? Wow!)
Children playing. A sunrise. Our spouses. Flowers. A sky full of stars.
Appreciating the gift of sight won’t make our problems go away.
But they will become a bit smaller!
… And we should also think about what Helen Keller said.
About seeing the new door of happiness opening.
And you know what we should really work at?
Trying to see as well as Helen Keller!
… Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for my nephew Yehuda.
He believes very strongly that your prayers have helped “open doors” for him.
Thank G-d, he is now totally off the respirator and has begun intensive rehab.
He has a long road ahead of him but gets strength from your concern and from your prayers!
And while many doors have opened for Yehudah and his family?
They, thank G-d, saw a huge new door of happiness open…
And I’ll share the good news…
My niece Shaindel gave birth to a baby boy!
Yehuda was there at the delivery and celebrated the bris (circumcision) with the family!
All the best,
Rabbi Moshe Katz
Director
ChicagoTorah Network
2832W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago,IL60645
P 773. 761. 0400 ext. 201