A Lesson in Perspective

The teachings are fundamental to the Jewish thought and the guidance of the Baal Shem Tov; sometimes things are not appreciated until we are looking in the rearview mirror.

In a recent interview with Rabbi Goldstein on “MyLife Chasidus Applied” some things he shared carried this message in a fashion that gave me a new perspective on these ideas. I’d like to share.

Rabbi Goldstein shared how as a young child growing up in Crown Heights he began to slowly appreciate the greatness of the Rebbe. He had a childish competition with his siblings, who could get to the Rebbe’s Shul -770 – first on Shabbos, to be able to hold the door for the Rebbe, so the Rebbe wouldn’t have to open the door himself. When the Rebbe would pass through the door the Rebbe would turn to the young Goldstein and wish him a good Shabbos.

The young man metaphorically held the door for the Rebbe. The Rebbe was lover of every Jew, a respect for all of Mankind and the purpose of every created being to make the world a more G-dly place and goodly place. Rabbi Goldstein through his actions emulating the Rebbe, held the door for the Rebbe to influence the entire world stage through the amazing courage and exposure he had in the moment that he was called upon to act, but also in how he communicated the Rebbe’s message across the media and on the White House lawn.

Who could have seen that the simple act of holding the door for the Rebbe was a prelude to these events.

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The second idea is captured by Rabbi Goldstein’s word to Rabbi Jacobson. He said that he was sent as a Shliach to Poway 35 years ago. All of the 35 years were merely a preparation for the moment that he acted as the Rebbe’s emissary for salvation for his community and again on the world stage throughout the following week.

Of course each and every day prior to the events of last Shabbat, Rabbi Goldstein accomplished amazing things in his community and impacted the lives of so many. But in a sense all of it was merely a preparation for the moment he arrived at on the last day of Pesach.

Again, a powerful message for all of us. What we do today in a sense is merely a preparation for what is to come tomorrow. Conversely, everything that has happened until today is only a preparation for the choices that we will make today in this very moment.

Good Shabbos!