When my 3 year old comes home I sing him a song to show him how proud we are that he went to school and that we are happy he is back in our abode. Last week, while singing and dancing with him, I felt a tug at my pants and looked down to hear my five-year old son announcing that he was home, too. He rightfully wanted me to acknowledge him as well. Children—and adults, too, at times—may not be naturally happy for the success or praise of others, because they also want to be complimented or acknowledged. Our mission in life is to create worlds by making people feel that they are “the best,” not destroy worlds by making people feel inferior for not conforming to a cookie-cutter standard of success. Just as each person has a unique appearance, Hashem endowed each person with a unique set of talents and personal abilities. By seeking and acknowledging the special qualities that Hashem has given each person, we are also praising Hashem who has created that one-of-a-kind mold. The joke that “after I was created they threw out the mold” is true for all of us. We are all different, and that is what makes us special, “the best.”
Rabbi Gil Frieman is the pulpit Rabbi of Jewish Center Nachlat Zion, the home of Ohr Naava. He is certified as a shochet, sofer, and has given lectures in the United States, Canada, and throughout Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Frieman is currently the American Director of seminaries Darchei Binah, Afikei Torah, and Chochmas Lev in Eretz Yisroel, and teaches in Nefesh High School, Camp Tubby during the summers, and lectures weekly at Ohr Naava. In addition, Rabbi Frieman teaches all tracks in Ateres Naava Seminary. He is a highly anticipated speaker on TorahAnytime.com where he speaks live most Wednesday nights at 9:00pm EST.
