Page 37 - Jewish News_March-2020

COMMENTARY March 2020 37A

Who is honored? The one who extends honor

to all others

phone’s pervasive overuse has become that he/she has feelings just like you humanity. This is so much more than
a curse of everyday life. It intrudes on do?” an esoteric philosophical concept. It
This is a not a trivial matter. It re-
From everyday conversation as it intrudes on duces the checker to being no more is a much needed lesson for the cell
basic human interaction. It has also be-
phone age and should apply to ev-
the come lethal. The vast majority of auto- than a thing, not an actual person. ery human being whether we call it
etiquette, common decency or derech
mobile crashes are caused by texting.
In the philosopher Martin Buber’s
Bimah If you don’t believe me, ask any tow- great book I and Thou, he teaches that eretz. Who is honored? The one who
extends honor to all others.
when we regard another person as a
truck driver. It is illegal to text while
driving, for all the good that does! functionary, we ignore their essential
An example of cell phone excess
Rabbi Michael P. Sternfield that pervades everyday life: We have The miracles that

Temple Beth El of Bradenton all seen it and some have done it our-
& Lakewood Ranch selves. I am referring to talking on the surround us
phone while someone is assisting us,
he word “etiquette” seems the most pervasive of which is at the Over the last few years, I have been
quaint, even old-fashioned in supermarket checkout counter. When hearing a common refrain lamenting
Ttoday’s fast-moving society. a customer continues chatting on his/ From the terrible times we live in. Phrases
The columnist Judith Martin continues her phone while the clerk is ringing up such as, “What a terrible time to raise
to write about keeping courtesy alive and bagging the groceries, this is pro- the children” or “I’m so happy I won’t be
with her “Miss Manners” advice col- foundly disrespectful to the checker. around to see what the future will look
umn, but unfortunately it seems to be Such discourtesy is worse than rude. Bimah like,” have arisen all too often. While
an uphill battle. It disregards the essential humanity of these are certainly real and valid feel-
Judaism has its own version of eti- the person who is assisting us. ings, I get the sense that we are not
quette. It can be found throughout the Do we really think that the grocery Rabbi Mendy Bukiet appreciating the greater picture that is
Torah and Jewish law. We call it derech clerk enjoys his/her job? Not likely. It taking place and all of the wonders and
eretz, literally “the way of land,” better must be so tedious, without any more Chabad of Bradenton miracles that we have at this time.

understood as common decency. The gratification than taking home a pay- & Lakewood Ranch How lucky we are that we live in
most straightforward example comes check. To ignore one’s essential hu- ave you ever taken a closer America, the land of opportunity, with
from the Pirké Avot in which Ben manity, treating the checker as if he/she look at the story of Purim? the freedom to serve G-d and practice
Zoma teaches: Who is honored? The is just an extension of the device that HG-d’s name is not found our beliefs as we would like. We live
one who gives honor to others. Derech scans the groceries, must be seen as a throughout the Megillah, the story of in a time when we can help people,
eretz is the code of proper behavior that violation of common courtesy, particu- Purim. It reads like a series of coin- not only in our local community, but
binds us to each other as human beings. larly the Jewish precept articulated by cidences that thread together to create anywhere in the world in a moment’s
Our society badly needs a refresher Ben Zoma. a fairy tale-like ending. The manner time. We are able to raise our children
course in common decency in regard When I observe this happening, I in which the story is written gives with all the Torah knowledge that they
to use of the cell phone including tex- am tempted to say, “Don’t you realize room for the cynic to proclaim that want from any location. We live in a
ting. Despite its convenience, the cell that the checker is also a human being, G-d’s hand was not involved at all. time where food is in abundance and
We know that Divine Providence
What do you think? is always at play behind the scenes. It comforts abound. We live in a time that
we can connect with family and friends
The Jewish News wants to know! seems that G-d for some odd reason with the click of a button. We live in a
time where the advancement of medi-
did not want the story to stand out as
Send an email to jewishnews18@gmail.com. a great miracle. Which begs the ques- cine and technology is saving and help-
tion, why? Why would G-d want it to
ing humanity at unbelievable rates.
Letters Policy be that way? Why leave room for the Never has there been a time when
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be typed, and include the writer’s name, mailing skeptic to question G-d’s Divine inter- society has advanced so quickly and at
address and phone number. Letters can be submitted via USPS or email (jewishnews18@gmail.com). vention? such an unbelievable pace. Is this not
Not all letters will be published. Letters may be edited for length and content.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, z”l, ex- miraculous?
plains that G-d wants us to find His The story of Purim teaches us to

miracles and His hand even in the look around and appreciate the seem-
mundane. At a time that looks as if G-d ingly hidden miracles of our lives. Let
is completely hidden, G-d wants us to us rejoice in the spirit of Purim and

search and find His Divine presence at find the G-dly miracles that surround

work. us. Happy Purim!

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