Rabbi Gary A. Glickstein

Winter exists in many parts of the country even when we in South Florida do not feel its effects on our daily life.

Three lessons from this cold and stormy winter in America:

Wisconsin, late Autumn, 2006

A Native American tribe asked their Chief whether the upcoming winter will be cold. He advised them to gather wood for their fireplaces. The Chief, wanting to be sure, called the local branch of the National Weather Service and asked about winter. He was told it will be very cold. The Chief urged his tribe to collect even more wood. He called again and was told that this winter will be even colder than expected. He implored his tribe to hurry and store all the wood that they could, quickly. The Chief called again and asked how the National Weather Service could be so sure of so cold a winter. The meteorologist answered, “We noticed that the Native Americans are collecting firewood like crazy this year.”

Sometimes our values, attitudes and even our actions are based on those we see around us. We need to remember that we are the inheritors of a great and honored tradition of wisdom which should help guide us. Or, just as our parents told us, “Just because your friend tells you to jump off the bridge doesn’t mean you should.”

Ice Hockey season, Massachusetts, 2007Coach to one of his young players: “Do you understand what cooperation is?” The boy nodded. “Do you understand when a penalty is called, you don’t argue or curse or attack the referee?” Once more the boy nodded shyly. “Good,” said the coach “Now, go over there and explain all that to your father.”

Our children learn from our actions. Our deeds are the demonstration of our true beliefs. If we raise our children with good values, we must act out good values in our daily lives. Mitzvah Weekend is a good start, but the opportunity to continue doing Mitzvot presents itself to us daily. We are what we do far more than what we say.

Chicago, New Year’s Eve, 2007, a bitter cold highway

A police officer pulled over a man who had been weaving. “Sir, I need you to blow into this breathalyzer.” “Sorry, officer I’m asthmatic.” “OK. I need you to take a blood test.” “I can’t do that. I am a hemophiliac.” “Well, then, we need a urine sample.” “Sorry, I am also a diabetic.” “All right! Then come out here and walk this white line.” “I can’t do that, officer.” “Why not?” asked the exasperated policeman. “Because I’m too drunk.”

Excuses take us only so far. In the end, we are answerable for our actions. We make choices, we embrace values, we live our lives. What we do is the evidence of who we are. Our children and everyone around us see us for who we truly are by observing how we act. All the reasoning, rationalizing and excusing in the world will not change that.