Dear all,
A couple of months ago, I reported for jury duty. As I awaited my assignment, the first thought that went though my mind was, “I would rather be anywhere but here.” After all, I had many commitments to face.
But I then remembered the words of Rabbi Ben Zoma, who asked, “Who is rich? Those who are happy in the place that they are.” (Pirkei Avot 4:1).
Yes, I remembered those words and thought…
“I could be on the front lines of a horrible war.”
”I could be a slave.”
”I could be a human guinea pig during the Holocaust.”
”I could be condemned in the Salem Witch trials.”
”I could be…..”
My initial annoyance transformed into incredible gratitude. I was here – doing my civic duty. I was now – living freely. And I captured the moment in time to realize how rich I really was.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
