WONDROUS THING: All the world is a very narrow bridge (so don't be a jackass)

There is a new piece of exercise equipment at my gym. It's a step climber with a big screen that allows me to go on a virtual hike through some of our nation’s beautiful National Parks at the same time that I am working out.  I step and step and step, while on my screen I see a hiker’s view of the trail ahead. 

So far I’ve "hiked" trails in the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Zion National Park.

However, it was the hike up to Angels Landing in Zion that caught my particular attention. It ran along a very narrow ridge with ridiculously steep drops on either side. Even from the safety of the gym the view was dizzying and a bit frightening. Check it out for yourself by clicking here. 

At first, I was going to quote Rabbi Nachman’s famous statement "All the world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing is to not be afraid."  I considered waxing poetically on how our lives are surrounded by metaphorical drops and chasms on all sides and yet still we must always push fearlessly onwards.

Then I read that over the past 15 years, eight hikers have tragically fallen to their deaths while hiking Angels Landing. That's a lot. So, instead, allow me to wax poetically on this: "All the world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing is to not be stupid."

Life can be perilous enough without our bad choices making things worse. 

So hike up to Angels Landing if you have an excellent sense of balance and don't mind walking on a 2 foot wide ledge with a 1,200 foot high cliff next to you. 

Text all you want, but for God’s sake – and for the sake of everyone else – don’t do it while driving. 

Eat junky, unhealthy foods, but do so in moderation lest your heart’s content eventually turns to discontent.

But may we always, ALWAYS, listen for that little voice of reason inside of us that whispers words of caution and conscience – sometimes far too softly – before we decide to do something tremendously and stupendously dumb. 

Happy trails!

Rabbi Michael

WONDROUS THING: Be Nice (yup, I'm speaking to you)

Once upon a time, a very nice hotel in Palm Beach did something very nice for me – and for the other clergy on the island – they gave us all a complimentary membership to the hotel’s beach club and brand new fitness center. (I’ll admit it is a nice perk. :-)

Being a creature of habit, I typically work out late in the afternoon. Upon finishing my workout, I empty a packet of recovery drink into a plastic bottle and fill it up with ice water. Since the beach bar is usually closed by this time and the large reservoir of ice water on the counter put away, I'm forced to either add warm water to the bottle (yuck!) or ask one of the bar attendants cleaning up to put some ice and water in my bottle. Warm water is out of the question so I always ask, and they always say yes.

The other day, however, this routine was broken.  After asking one of the women behind the bar if she could fill up my bottle, she said to the other attendant working with her “He is the only one I don’t mind doing this for.” The other woman then replied, “I agree.”

I didn’t understand, so I asked them to clarify. “You are the only person who asks us nicely,” she said. “Everyone else tells us to give them water; you ask us."  It seemed impossible to me but they swore it was true.

I’m not sharing this to toot my own horn. (Trust me, I have my grumpy moments.)  Yet, it was distressing to hear that common courtesy is - seemingly - in such short supply.

Everyday kindness might seem like a trifle, but it is not. There is a famous saying in the Mishnah that states: “Al shlosha d’varim ha’olam omed: al ha-Torah, v’al ha-avodah, v’al g’milut chassadim - The world depends on three things: Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Kindness." (Pirkei Avot 3:21).

Note that the rabbis place Acts of Kindness equal to the Torah. 

And so should we.

Most of the moments of holiness in our lives happen on the street, not in the synagogue.  Being kind and courteous are sacred acts; little moments of prayerful action that we bring to the world everyday by means of our countless interactions with others.

When you think about it, it is really quite elegant and beautiful.
I suppose all we have to do now is live our lives accordingly.

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Michael Resnick