Hi,
Hope you’re having a great summer.
(It’s not over till it’s over!)
… There is a Torah portion in Leviticus called Kedoshim. Holy.
It begins with the words, “You must be holy because I, the Lord your G-d, is holy.” (Leviticus, 19:2)
It’s a commandment. And it’s the Torah’s perspective on life.
That as human beings, and as Jews, we can be holy.
We can transcend the physical world. Our lives can be deeper. More meaningful.
Our lives can be infused with spirituality.
And why are we able to be holy?
Because G-d is holy!
And we are created in His Image. There is something G-dly within us.
Being holy is about being in touch with our Divine Image.
And always seeing the Divine Image in others.
… My family is busy preparing for a simcha. A celebration.
My mother in law, who lost her husband a while ago, is remarrying!
Her future husband is actually one of the great Torah scholars of our generation.
A Rabbi’s Rabbi!
And he has spent his life perfecting his character through Torah!
… Last Friday he wanted to call my mother-in- law to wish her a good Shabbos.
He finally tracked her down in the hospital. She was visiting a patient.
After schmoozing with her for a while, and wishing her a “good Shabbos”, he hung up.
A minute later?
The phone rang again.
“Hi. I would love to speak to the patient. And wish him well.”
… Why a separate phone call?
The Rabbi’s students would know exactly why.
Because he has always taught them to see the Divine Image in each person.
And it’s not respectful to ask to speak to someone “since you happen to be on the phone.”
They deserve a separate phone call.
That’s how even a phone call can be holy!
… In case you’re wondering?
The Rabbi is also getting a very good deal!
He’s a very smart man!
All the best,
Moshe