Rabbi's Message - March 2022 - As We Find The Light
Dear Friends,
The story is told of a wealthy man
who had three sons. As he was uncertain
as to which son he should entrust
with the management of his business,
he devised a test. He took his three
sons to a room which was absolutely
empty and he said to each of them, “Fill this room as best
as you are able.” The first son got to work immediately.
He called in bulldozers, earth-moving equipment, workmen
with shovels and wheelbarrows, and they got very
busy. By the end of the day the room was filled, floor to
ceiling, wall to wall, with earth. The room was cleared and
the second son was given his chance. He was more of an
accountant type, so he had no shortage of paper. Boxes,
files, archives and records that had been standing and
accumulating dust for years and years, suddenly found a
new purpose. At any rate, it didn’t take long and the room
was absolutely filled from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, with
paper. Again the room was cleared and the third son was
given his turn. He seemed very relaxed and didn’t appear
to be gathering or collecting anything at all with which to
fill the room. He waited until nightfall and then invited his
father and the family to join him at the room. Slowly, he
opened the door. The room was absolutely pitch black,
engulfed in darkness. He took something out of his pocket.
It was a candle. He lit the candle and suddenly the
room was filled with light.
He got the job. The truly wise son understands how to
fill a vacuum. The intelligent person knows that the emptiness
of life needs light. Torah is light. Shabbat candles illuminate
and make a Jewish home radiant with light. G-dly
truths and the eternal values of our Jewish heritage fill our
homes and families with the guiding light to help us to our
destinations safely and securely.
May we all be blessed to take the candle of G-d and with
it, fill our lives and illuminate our homes with that which is
good, kind, holy and honorable. Amen!
If anyone knows of someone who is ill or has
passed or is in some other need please call or
email me directly so that I can make contact with
them. My number is 305-338-3029 and my email is
Rabbi Schonblum