A Jewish Idea- As many positive consequences

Let’s call him “Edward”. You would like him. He’s the kind of man whom you would want to have as a friend. He’s kind and caring. In business, he is fair, honest and responsible; expecting others to be the same and to work to their fullest potential. As a businessman, he held people to a high standard. As a friend, his is a forgiving soul. He volunteers for our synagogue –always ready to lend a hand.

             Recently he became sick. While hospitalized and seemingly improving, other concerns materialized from nowhere. As days progressed, the fear increased. Now the family is deeply afraid. The doctors and nurses are doing everything they can. Questions and fear increase with very few answers in sight.

           We have all experienced this fear. We have all been summoned to hospitals, to stand by bedsides of loved ones, to embrace people in support and to weep in grief. Feeling powerless, we visit, hoping to console people who give meaning to our lives and to comfort those who have shared our years.

            Like you, I went to the hospital to offer support and prayer. Stepping into the elevator, a man recognized me. Years ago, he did some maintenance work for the synagogue. He had come to visit his sister “Mary”. The few moments shared in the quiet elevator were holy moments as he expressed his concern. He asked me to pray with them. Not even realizing, I stepped off the elevator with him and went to Mary’s room. He introduced me and I offered a simple prayer with strangers. The 5 minutes in Mary’s room didn’t take away from the sincerity of the prayer or my focus on Edward. Nothing was lost.

             Each of us has an opportunity to touch the lives of others. We may never know the effect of exiting an elevator on a floor different than our own or sharing a cup of coffee with someone in a work/school/hospital cafeteria. Five shared minutes can change a person’s day, a person’s attitude or even a person’s world view. We do not see the impact of our actions; how far-reaching are the consequences of a particular choice. Although we cannot know the ramifications, let us step forth on our daily journey with one goal; to introduce as many positive consequences into the world as we can.

             Every day let us improve the world- by being a bit more patient, a bit more understanding and a bit more open-minded than the day before. What do we have to lose?

             Shalom,

             Rabbi Steven Silberman