Let us give ourselves a neshamah test to see how we rate, and as we respond to the questions let us do so with honesty. We can fool many people but it’s dangerous when we fool ourselves. So let us examine our hearts and minds and see how many of these questions we’ll be able to answer with an “emphatic yes.”
Is there fighting, shouting, cursing in our homes? Do we speak to our spouses and children with respect, kindness and consideration or do we label our spouses or children with hurtful, pejorative names?
Do our children see us relating with honor and respect to our own parents? When our parents come to visit, do we rush to welcome them? Do we rise in their honor? And do we teach our children to do the same? Or do we allow them to stay glued to their cell phones, computers and other diversions? Do we allow them to grunt under their breath a “hi” or “hello” or do we insist that they rise and eagerly embrace Bubbie and Zaidie with love and warmth?
These are just a few questions. There are more. Stay tuned.