What Goes Around, Comes Around

I've been blessed with talents but choosing an esrog isn't one of them! My Rabbi has sent me back to the arba minim store a dozen times in pursuit of the perfect esrog.

One year, a few weeks before sukkos, I made my way down to the arba minim store knowing that this would be the first of many visits that year. I managed to find satisfaction knowing that the effort spent in securing a mehudar esrog is part of the mitzvah.

Whilst looking at the esrogim, trying to determine whether it was a lemon or a Chazon Ish Esrog, I bumped into a posek, Rabbi Sax (named changed). I asked him if he wouldn't mind helping me and he said he would be happy to do so. Rabbi Sax was also particular in getting a Chazon Ish esrog and proceeded to find a mehudar one. I was over the moon with joy that I had been giving siyata dishmaya in finding a mehudar esrog on the first go.

Sukkos arrived and as I was sitting in shul, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Rabbi Sax!  Rabbi Sax wished me a gut yom tov and then proceeded to explain what had happened to his esrog. His esrog had unfortunately become pasul. Rabbi Sax continued and said that he had taken the time to select my chazon ish esrog and knew he could rely on its kashrus. He asked if he could borrow it for the purpose of the mitzvah on condition that he return it shortly after. Obviously I was happy to return the favour!

A Smile or a Kind Word Goes a Long Way

Last week at work a colleague stopped me to tell the following story:

The night before, whilst at a family dinner, he was relating to his family that some promotions had occurred at work. His son, now a nineteen year old man, asked him whether Ben had received a promotion. I asked him how his son knew me. He related that nine years ago (when his son was nine!) he had taken his son to work. He said I must have been nice to him because he remembered me and asks how I'm doing from time to time.

A smile or a kind word can go a long way!

Hashgacha Pratis

The story occurred shortly after the birth of our fourth child.

My wife woke up on a Shabbos morning and wasn't able to move her neck. She put it down to sleeping in an awkward position.  I recall there being a physical therapist not far from our house so I walked there. I'm not sure what my intention was. My wife wouldn't have been able to walk there even if the therapist had agreed to see her without payment on the day or how he would be agreeable to walk to our home whilst leaving his office. Anyhow, I walked up the stairs with my black hat and jacket. I opened the door and to my dismay there was a yoga class in session. It turns out he didn't work on Shabbos!

I decided I would walk a bit further and see what would happen: "HaMaichin mitzadei gaver," HaShem prepares the footsteps of Man. I ended up walking just short of a mile from my house. Success! I had found a physical therapist. The problem was the door was motion activated. I would have to wait for someone to walk in and I would have to follow suit. I waited some fifteen minutes but to no avail. I knew I would have to get home shortly to help my wife with the kids.

I was about to call it a day when a man with a black hat and jacket said, "Good Shabbos, looks like you're waiting for a bus." It turns out I was waiting near a bus stop. I laughed and said, "No, actually I'm waiting for the physical therapist."  He said, "Why do you need a physical therapist?" I explained what had happened to my wife. He laughed and said he was a physical therapist and was happy to come to my home to help. I couldn't believe it! I told him I didn't want to put him out. He would end up missing a large chunk of the morning services. I asked what shul he was going to and he named the shul next door to my place!

He ended up coming to our place and helping us out. We've used him countless times again. He also ended up lending us his portable massage table which my wife used when she opened up her remedial massage practice.

The Yetzer Hara and His Many Tricks

The Yetzer Hora and His Many Tricks

By Benji Raymond

Reward is what Hashem wanted to give,

So he gave us a life of mitzvos to live.

Hashem created a yetzer tov for us too,

So that the right choice would be clearer for us to do.

“That’s not so hard,” you may proclaim,

But in Olam Haba you may feel shame,

So a yetzer hora Hashem did make,

And by conquering it, more reward you will be able to take.

The yetzer hora has many tricks up his sleeve,

And to our aveiros he really loves to cleave.

Mitzvos too – the yetzer hora is okay to do,

But not right now – maybe in an hour or two.

If you’re unsure if something is an aveirah or not,

Think this thought and a mitzvah you will spot:

A mitzvah, the yetzer hora loves to take time first to think about,

Whereas aveiros need to be done now without a doubt.

Taking is what the yetzer hora does best,

Giving tzedakah is his greatest test.

If it’s difficult to say no to an aveirah and hard to resist,

Try waiting a few moments before you insist.

  

The yetzer hora enjoys worrying about what will be,

It keeps him busy so mitzvos he will flee.

All of these things give the yetzer hora a stronger stance,

So that the yetzer tov will not stand a chance.

Too little sleep can make our yetzer tov weak,

and make mitzvos look oh so bleak.

So listen to your parents and go to bed without delay,

Then your yetzer tov will be strong and hold more sway.

Eating too many treats makes our yetzer hora grow,

It makes our aveiros have a greater glow.

So rather eat your Mommy’s healthy food,

And the yetzer hora will not be so shrewd.

If you think your yetzer hora is the stronger of the two,

Or maybe you’ve lost a battle, or even a few,

Then daven to Hashem for help to get you through,

You will see that mitzvos He will help you do.

You’ve gone too far, you may hear the yetzer hora say,

But that’s just one of his tricks to keep your mitzvos at bay.

There is always a way to start things anew,

Start by finding a mitzvah you love to do.

   

The Torah is the vitamin which makes the yetzer tov grow strong,

It helps us so that we can learn not to do wrong.

With Torah we can conquer the yetzer hora every day,

And live a life of happiness and joy in every way.