“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Nitzavim
27 Elul 5781/September 4, 2021
Avos perek 5-6
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לרפואה שלימה נטע יצחק בן רחל
SO ITCHY
It’s
been almost two years since I’ve been to a barbershop. No, it has nothing to do
with the pandemic. No, I haven’t decided to become a Nazir. And no, it’s not
because I have no hair left. Rather, it’s because we had a fabulous in-house
barber who gave me, and our other children haircuts, in the comfort of our own
home.
But a
couple of weeks ago my barber - my son Shalom - went to Eretz Yisroel for the
year. That means I had to head back to a barbershop for a pre-Rosh Hashanah
haircut.
A couple
of months ago, Shalom misplaced the cloth/cape that he used when giving
haircuts. Since he gave the haircuts on our porch outside anyway, we decided
that he give haircuts without it.
Getting
a haircut always leaves a person feeling itchy and uncomfortable. But without a
covering cloth, it is that much worse. When I got haircuts from Shalom the last
few months, because of the added itchiness and little pieces of hair that
adhered to my clothing, I showered and changed right afterwards.
On
another note, this time of year - back to school - means new school supplies
and new clothes, including shoes. I find that getting new shoes is always a
conflicting experience. On the one hand, it’s exciting to get new shoes that
look fresh. On the other hand, having new shoes also means that the leather is
still tough and hasn’t yet adapted to my foot. That means that for the first
few weeks wearing them, the shoes will feel somewhat uncomfortable.
On a
third note, a few weeks ago, when our family arrived home from camp after being
away for two months, I noticed a few weeds and other unsightly plants growing
around our house, particularly from crevices at the edge of our driveway and
walkway. Without thinking much of it, I set out ripping them out of the ground.
Within a day or two I started to see some red blotches on my arms and felt
quite itchy. It took a few days before the irritation went away. Apparently,
pulling out those plants with my bare hands wasn’t the best idea.
What is
the connection between my cloth-less haircuts, new shoes, barehanded weed
whacking and this time of year?
As the
new year is upon us, we look to make changes in our lives. We want to grow
beyond life as it’s been, to improve ourselves and become better, fulfilling
more of the potential we all have. But one must know from the outset that
changes and newness - while exciting and refreshing - also generate discomfort.
If one wants to successfully effect changes in his routine and to change habits,
he must be prepared to bear the inevitable discomfort. He should remind himself
that the discomfort is temporary. Haircuts look fresh but as the old hairs fall
away, they are prickly and irksome. But just as that discomfort fades, if one
stays the course of his growth, soon enough he will have successfully created
new habits and routines.
Rav
Yisroel Salanter famously quipped that it’s easier to learn through all of Shas
than it is to truly change one negative character trait. For a long time, I
wondered why Rav Yisroel said that? It’s inconceivable that the master ethicist
would try to dishearten us from undertaking creating real change.
I think
Rav Yisroel was imparting to us an invaluable and vital message. Anyone who has
a desire to study all of Shas understands that it’s not something that can be
accomplished overnight, or even in a few weeks. It’s a process that requires
forethought, patience, dedication and perseverance.
When it
comes to improving and changing our character however, we sometimes think it
should be quick and easy. Then when we falter and revert to our old habits, we
become frustrated and disheartened. Rav Yisroel was teaching us that changing
and improving one’s character is a process, in fact it’s a more arduous process
than even learning through Shas. Therefore, one must be realistic in knowing
that it will take time and effort and he will fail numerous times. The old
habits will prick him as he tries to rid himself of them and will cause him
discomfort. But if he doesn’t abandon ship and recognizes that the struggle is
par for the course he will get there.
It’s
been said that on the path towards growth there are no failures, only setbacks
and lessons. There is no road that leads to growth that doesn’t have curves and
turns.
During
these days our task is to begin the process of teshuva, not to complete it. As
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “the journey of a thousand miles begins
with the first step.” But it’s worth remembering that although the first step may
make you feel itchy and uncomfortable, the next step will be that much easier.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum