“A Person Should Be Like the Sun ”

This Monday and Tuesday I experienced something very special in my congregation. As many of you know, the last few weeks were the holiday season in the Jewish community. There were three holidays spread out over a few weeks from beginning of October. This Monday and Tuesday was the last stanza. It is called Simchas Torah, which means the joy of Torah.

Every week on Shabbos (Saturday) we read a portion from the Chumash (Pentateuch), the main part of the written Torah and it is finished over the course of the year. On Simchas Torah we read the last portion, and we start the reading Torah again. As the name indicates, Simchas Torah is a day of joy for the completion of the reading of the Torah.

The customs on this day are all about rejoicing with the study of Torah. A few times during the holiday, the community gathers to dance and rejoice in the synagogue.

This holiday, a member of my community, an individual who is generally a quiet person, started dancing with much joy and vigor. He wasn't making a ruckus, but in his own quiet way, he was dancing up and down with much enthusiasm. His dancing picked up the whole congregation and everyone danced in a way that I've never seen before. There was an uplifting spirit in the air and people just kept on dancing to different tunes much longer than usual.

I observed it all with much amazement. Many people didn't even realize what made the spirit this holiday stronger than every year, but upon observation it was clear that this quiet individual picked up the whole crowd. This shows the power of one individual.

I've written about this idea a few times here. We all have heroes that we admire and hold dear in our heart, who changed history for the better. History is full of them. Of course, our great country has its inspiring heroes, as we all know. However, I'm inspired when “ordinary” people, people who aren't in a position or situation to change history, have an impact beyond our expectations.

A regular person encounters so many people during their lifetime. Every time a person welcomes someone else with respect and graciousness, it has a continued impact. When a person is positive and excited about life, it boils over to their neighbors, friends, and family. A person who deals in honesty and is trustworthy, constantly teaches other people to do the same, just by acting the right way.

Ordinary and regular people are really great heroes in history. When a person affects their surrounding circle, the impact goes further. Every person impacted also has their own circle of neighbors, friends, and family. An individual can impact countless of people, more than we can ever imagine.

The Chofetz Chaim, a great sage from the early 1900's said, “A person should be like the sun! What does the sun do? The sun does three things, it warms, makes light, and makes things grow. In every encounter a person has with someone they should emanate warmth, make light for others, and make them grow!”

Another quote I heard goes like this, “Small people value great deeds, great people value small deeds.”

Comments? Email me: moshe@jaketv.tv