Ki Teitzei
This week's parsha, Ki Teitzei, starts off with discussions about the following three topics: a woman captured in war whom a soldier wants to marry, a hated wife, and a rebellious son. Rashi suggests that this order is no coincidence; the Torah wants to discourage such marriages, and therefore goes on to discuss the likely results of such a marriage--a hated wife and a rebellious son. The domino effect, once begun, leads to unhappy results.
The flip side of this is also possible--a positive domino effect. In fact this year one of the ninth grade boys greets me at the front door daily with some sort of compliment--often about my tie, but sometimes about what a great year he is having. This in turn puts me in a positive frame of mind, ready to pass along the compliments and praise to deserving students, parents, and teachers who cross my path. Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Beth Jacob spoke this past Shabbat about what a different world this would be if the evening news covered only positive events--stories of loving newlyweds, happy family reunions, and individuals paying tolls for strangers in the car behind them. This ninth grade boy is doing his part to help "pay it forward," making it a happier world one person at a time.
May we all be at the forefront of this positive domino effect, starting this Shabbat and for many years to come!
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
The flip side of this is also possible--a positive domino effect. In fact this year one of the ninth grade boys greets me at the front door daily with some sort of compliment--often about my tie, but sometimes about what a great year he is having. This in turn puts me in a positive frame of mind, ready to pass along the compliments and praise to deserving students, parents, and teachers who cross my path. Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Beth Jacob spoke this past Shabbat about what a different world this would be if the evening news covered only positive events--stories of loving newlyweds, happy family reunions, and individuals paying tolls for strangers in the car behind them. This ninth grade boy is doing his part to help "pay it forward," making it a happier world one person at a time.
May we all be at the forefront of this positive domino effect, starting this Shabbat and for many years to come!
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
