A Moment in Time: Being Here. Being Now.

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