11/11/11
November 11th has been a day of note on the world’s calendar since 1918 when Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
And this year, if you were like me, you might have looked at the clock at 11:11 this morning. And, if you’re really serious about details, you might have waited for 11 seconds and marveled at the moment: The 11th year, 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour, 11th minute, and 11th second.
It’s a cute moment when you look at the clock and smile to yourself how cool it is. (Except if you were looking at your phone which has it as November instead of 11 – and that messes everything up!)
But then if you pay attention, a moment later it became 11:11:12 and life continued as it was on 11:11:10. Which made me think of the following message for Shabbat:
Each moment is one that has never been experienced before and will never be experienced again. It might not be one that looks cool and can be turned into a conversation piece, but it’s a precious moment nonetheless. Some days feel like 8460700 and other are $^4&35*&!!! but in both, we are the only ones who can transform the moment into a productive one event. Never in history has there been a minute like this one and never again will we have the opportunities that we have right now
So now that you’ve finished reading my thought for the week, make your very next moment count. Open a link on your computer and read a bit of Torah or a Jewish thought. Take out some money from your pocket and put it in a charity box. Commit to lighting candles this evening (it’s early now that we’ve changed the clocks). Or pick up the phone and call someone who could use a smile brought to their face.
There’s no gift like the present!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
