A Moment in Time: What’s in Your Back Pocket?

Dear all,

When I was studying to be a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, one of my mentors guided me saying, “Always have a piece of Torah (religious text) in your back pocket. You never know when someone will call upon you to offer a teaching.”

To this day, I try always to be prepared with Torah. But there are additional treasures that are so important to have within arm’s reach.

Grandpa: Be strong and of good courage.

Dad: Anything is possible if you have the right tool.

My sister : Always look behind you 100 times when you back up (in your car)

My husband: Your job is not just to teach others. It is to reach others.

We all have adages, advice, wisdom, and tools that we keep in our back pockets. We reach for them daily. What’s in you back pocket? And in that moment in time when you reach for it, do you hear the voice of the person who gifted you this treasure?

With love and shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro