Tis the season.

On Wednesday, Menny started Fall football at SMS. After the first practice, Coach Dave spoke to the parents, laying out the expectations for behavior, practices, games, and schooling for the players and their families. He was nice but firm; stay hydrated, get sleep, eat well, do well in class, head injuries are taken seriously, everyone will get a chance to participate in games, lightning within ten miles of the field ends the game/practice, be punctual and so on. For the players to grow in their athleticism and sportsmanship there must be structure to guide them to success.

It got me thinking.

In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Savo, we continue to read Moses’ words to Jewry before he passes away, and they enter the land of Israel. He reminds them that “the Lord has selected you this day to be His treasured people, as He spoke to you, and so that you shall observe all His commandments”. The reminder wasn’t just about making them feel good, “you are chosen, now go eat Rugelach”; it was to remind them that “chosen” title, to be G-d’s representatives to sanctify the world and inspire humanity, comes with immense responsibility to follow the invaluable structure that the Torah commands us to follow. It’s easier to remain unchosen, it easier to have less collective responsibility to change the world, but when chosen, in our case chosen at Sinai for a specific role, we can only succeed when incorporating healthy, Divine, structure.

I often wonder why when it comes to Judaism people Kvetch about the intricate rules, yet in every other aspect of daily living rules are the name of the game. Flying has a million rules from TSA to Airlines to baggage weight to bottled water through security. Logging into any tech device involves passwords and Face ID and various forms of security to ensure that I am me. Businesses and workplaces have structures that uphold the systems that bring success, governments have regulations for all citizens, and even the garbage companies tell you where and how to leave your cans out for pickup. So, if Judaism isn’t inspiring you, we must work on that and see what the core issue that is bothersome to you, but let’s not blame our apprehension on the rules, because it’s these G-dly rules that give our spiritual self the attention it deserve so that we can achieve spiritual wholesomeness.

Like football, rules make it a better, and fairer, game.

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

‍

‍

We don’t see each other often, we don’t even speak often, but Avremi Schapiro and I are childhood classmates, and, in my eyes, he’s an unsung rock star. He lost his father, the assistant principal at our school, when he was young kid, yet, despite the hardship, he was always determined to forge ahead carrying his dad’s legacy of love and care for all. When Avremi walks into a room he lights it up and his smile is addictive. So, you could imagine my delight when running into him and his family at a Shul in Budapest and later at the local ice cream place.

It’s fun to be around a happy person.

In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Seitzei, we are commanded on many of the Mitzvos that guide us to be better to our fellow. Ensuring that our employees can eat from the fields and vineyard in which they work, returning lost items or animals to their rightful owner, keeping one’s word, not withholding wages past the set time of payment, leaving some of the harvest for the poor and vulnerable, not cheating our customers and so much more. It’s like the Torah is etching in our mind the foundational idea that being on good terms with G-d is conditioned on being an upstanding member of society and treating others with dignity and decency.

Avremi will not be happy thar I share this, but he’s an incognito hero in caring for others. He helps young orphans deal with their loss, he shows up for people struggling when they are feeling alone, he cares for the Jewish youth of Wisconsin, including showing up to do programs for Jewish teens at local public schools, and with blood, sweat and toil he’s revolutionized the world Jewish overnight camping, creating a boys and girls camp for kids from across rural America, including campers who came from Montana and Idaho. I traveled to Europe and roundtripped through five countries in two weeks, but one of the most memorable parts of the trip was running into my old friend who exudes kindness and love 24/7.

Avremi cares. Be like Avremi.

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!