Dear all,
I was at a funeral this week for the mother of a dear friend. Each sibling spoke of the gentle wisdom their mother implanted in their souls.
One lesson that resonated was,
“It only takes a second to be a mensch.”
Now, mensch is a Yiddish word derived from German meaning “man.” But a mensch is much more than that. A mensch is a person of character: a thinking, caring, humble, and noble individual.
A mensch holds the door open for someone.
A mensch allows others to sit on a crowded bus.
A mensch is a courteous driver.
A mensch makes decisions with integrity.
The difference between being a mensch and not being a mensch truly happens in second. And that second is the window into our reputation.
Tonight, with Rosh HaShanah, we enter the Jewish year 5778. We re-adjust our lives in hopes that we can make a difference in the world.
And so we remember, it often takes even less than a moment in time. The future can unfold with each second in time – because that’s all it takes to be a mensch.
Ron joins me in wishing you a sweet, happy, and healthy New Year!
Shanah Tova,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
