"Let's table the discussion" is a new Adath Israel Shul initiative where a story or thought is presented in order to stimulate exciting and constructive discussion around our Shabbos table or among friends and children. (Dedicated to the Refuah Sheleima of Shalva Adina Bas Sarah Chana).
In a Peanuts cartoon (from the late Charles M.
Schultz) Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he
didn't.
"What makes you think you can walk right in
here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually
they're nothing but when I curl them together
like this into a single unit, they form a weapon
that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus as
he resigns himself to his fate.
Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says,
"Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
In this week’s Parsha we read of the blessings promised by Hashem if we
follow his word. One of them promises that 5 of us shall chase 100 and 100
of us shall chase 10,000. The proportion is clearly off by 8000. Why do
the numbers improve when we are in a greater number?
Rashi explains that a small group that unites around Torah cannot be
compared to a larger one. There is a certain strength in the numbers. The
author of the Parashas Derachim (the Mishneh LaMelech) adds that it is
not merely a function of numbers but rather when numbers unite in
purpose – a single, organized, united goal, with Torah and Torah values at
its center, the power of the people cannot be matched. However, if there
are many people who are uniting in presence but not in purpose, then the
mission is merely one of individuals and not of the collective Am Yisrael.
We live in a time with many causes and calls to support many more.
Sometimes, our personal “isms” – be they personal goals, beliefs or even
habit and laziness, lead us to fractionalize a mass poised to do great
things. If we stopped to reorganize and refocus our efforts onto our
united mission, we could achieve collective goals that are beyond our
personal wildest expectations.
What are YOU passionate about? Is it a personal passion or one
that is focused on a greater good?
Can you see a difference?
Can you make one?
Let’s “table” the discussion – by discussing it with our children, spouses, families and guests and open an exciting discussion into our homes and community.
