Hi,
Happy rest of Chanukah!
… We were thinking of driving to New Jersey for a wedding.
But changed our minds after hearing forecasts of “icy driving conditions”.
Decided better safe than sorry.
Then we thought maybe one of us would fly in.
We scratched that idea too.
There was a good chance flights would be cancelled due to the weather.
… Winter weather presents a major challenge to aviation.
“Ice on the wings”.
It can prevent an airplane from flying well. And has even caused crashes.
They’re very careful about “deicing” the wings.
Someone I knew did what Jews have always done.
He tried to learn lessons from life experiences.
Here’s what he said.
“Mitzvahs are our wings. Fulfilling G-d’s commandments give us the ability to “fly”.
To elevate ourselves. And transcend the physical world.
But Mitzvahs should be done with warmth. With feeling.
And sometimes we do them by habit. Without passion.
There’s ice on our wings. And we can’t “fly”.
… It’s true about both kinds of Mitzvahs.
Take the commandments between us and G-d.
We can “do Shabbat” but allow it to become routine.
Not the special day it should be.
A day that can elevate us. And help us “fly”.
… And it’s true in our dealings with people as well.
We can do it to our smile. To our “good morning”.
Even to our Happy Chanukah!
We can do it automatically.
Without the warmth.
And then?
It’s not quiet as G-dly as it could be.
And there’s something else.
A good smile can give the recipient a lift. Raise their spirits.
Can give them “wings”.
But not if we have ice on our wings”!
All the best,