Hi,

I’ve been sitting at my computer thinking.

We’re about to start the next Torah portion, so I was looking for a small nugget to share.

Here’s what came to mind.

… One of the great Rabbis of the past generation always looked for lessons in life.

In his days, it was the telegraph.

He would remind people how careful they were when sending a telegram.

Writing the message.  Rereading it.  Making changes.  Trimming it.

Why?

Because they paid for each word!

And he would say, “Be careful when you speak.  No gossip.

We also pay for each word!”

… Here’s what he might have said about the computer.

It’s a famous saying.  “To err is human.  To forgive is Divine.”

And we take it for granted.

Because Judaism taught the world that G-d is a loving G-d.  A forgiving G-d.

But it didn’t have to be that way. 

… A computer should remind us how life would be if G-d worked with strict justice.

We type out a long e-mail message.  A very important message.  An overdue message.

Click send and leave for an appointment.

And when we come back?

Those dreaded words.

“Postmaster.” “Mail delivery system!”

The message came back!

We check the address.  It seems right. Click send again.

But it comes back again.  And again.

We get frustrated.  And start talking to the computer.

“Maybe there’s an extra period somewhere.  I’m sorry.”

So it’s not perfect.  Does it really make a difference?

How about some compassion?”

… The computer doesn’t know from compassion.

It insists on perfection!

Imagine if we had to live like that?

If we couldn’t say to G-d, “I’m sorry.”

If on Rosh Hashanah, we couldn’t say, “Please have patience with me.

I know I said this last year.

But this year I will be better!”

… The computer should remind us to appreciate the gift of G-d’s forgiveness.

And next time we have a hard time forgiving someone who says they’re sorry?

… We shouldn’t be like a computer!

Have a great Shabbat,