As Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch put it (Commentary to Avos 4:21), “All of us have been invited to the banquet of the King of Kings, but only he who has made himself worthy of this invitation will be admitted to the banquet hall.”
There is a well known story involving the Chofetz Chaim in which a wealthy visitor to his home expressed dismay at seeing the tzaddik’s poorly furnished residence. The guest, a successful businessman, asked where the great sage’s furniture was. Rather than answering the question directly, the Chofetz Chaim asked his guest where his furniture was. The surprised visitor replied that he was traveling. The Chofetz Chaim responded that he too was traveling, from this world to the next, and did not feel the need to busy himself with accumulating furniture or other material possessions.
While we cannot begin to approach the lofty spirirtual heights of the saintly Chofetz Chaim, it would behoove us to always keep this important lesson in mind.
The gas dilemma has also taught us to make maximal use of that which we do possess. Drivers today are routinely reminded to make better use of the gas in their tanks by driving more efficiently (observing the speed limit, avoiding aggressive driving, etc.), as well as servicing their vehicles regularly. While the cost of gas is out of our control, what we do with it isn’t.
This lesson lies at the heart of our Jewish values. We know that every moment, every child, every material resource is a gift, meant to be appreciated and maximized to the fullest. Sometimes, however, we forget and don’t fully appreciate what we have until the life of a loved one comes to an unexpected end, or one’s child contracts a terminal illness, or one’s wealth suddenly dissipates. The challenge is to remain appreciative while we have each gift, and make sure to utlilize it properly.
As we struggle to adjust to the slumping economy, we need to realize that gas prices in the United States are still relatively mild in comparison to many other countries, including Eretz Yisrael. (Unlike Americans, who by and large are obsessed with “keeping up with the Joneses,” our brethren in the Holy Land have long embraced the simpler life of public transportation, scooters and cozy living quarters.)
While we all hope for a quick turnaround, let us take advantage of the changes in behavior necessitated by the current economic reality so that we might benefit from them long after the financial situation has taken a turn for the better.