D’var Torah – Oct. 17

Stop and Smell the Roses

Shabbat Shalom!

I pray this finds you all well.

The other day, my wife and I reflected on how quickly our 5+ years of marriage has flashed before our eyes. We’ve been through so much and accomplished so much together, but yet it feels like only yesterday that we stood under that beautiful chuppah, wrapped in a tallit, exchanging our sacred marital vows. Much to her chagrin (she’s the literal opposite of a country music fan) and my laughter (country superfan over here), our reflection reminded me of Kenny Chesney’s hit song Don’t Blink:

I turned on the evening news

Saw an old man being interviewed

Turning a hundred and two today

Asked him what’s the secret to life?

He looked up from his old pipe

Laughed and said, “All I can say is

Don’t blink, just like that you’re six years old

And you take a nap

And you wake up and you’re twenty-five

And your high school sweetheart becomes your wife

Don’t blink, you just might miss

Your babies growing like mine did

Turning into moms and dads

Next thing you know your better half

Of fifty years is there in bed

And you’re praying God takes you instead

Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think,

So don’t blink…”  [1]

In this week’s parsha of Beresheit (Genesis 1:1- 6:8) we read of God’s creation of the world; then followed by Adam, Eve, the tree of knowledge, the serpent, and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. But the question is: how long did Adam and Eve actually dwell in the paradise and bliss that was Eden?

Rabbi Yohanan bar Hanina of the Talmud tell us the following:

“Daytime is twelve hours long, and the day Adam the first man was created was divided as follows: In the first hour of the day, his dust was gathered. In the second, an undefined figure was fashioned. In the third, his limbs were extended. In the fourth, a soul was cast into him. In the fifth, he stood on his legs. In the sixth, he called the creatures by the names he gave them. In the seventh, Eve was paired with him. In the eighth, they arose to the bed two, and descended four, i.e., Cain and Abel were immediately born. In the ninth, he was commanded not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge. In the tenth, he sinned. In the eleventh, he was judged. In the twelfth, he was expelled and left the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: ‘But man abides not in honor; he is like the beasts that perish’ (Psalms 49:13). Adam did not abide, i.e., sleep, in a place of honor for even one night.” [2]  [*Sanhedrin38b.2]

Twelve hours! Just twelve hours in paradise, followed by a lifetime of labor, toil, and mortality!

But perhaps there’s an invaluable lesson in this: enjoy and take full advantage of the moments that we have! Too often people see a job as a stepping stone on their resume rather than as a place where they can learn important lessons and make great friendships; too often people see a first house as a means of establishing credit rather than as a place and time of their lives where they create fond memories; and too often people see education as nothing more than an illustrious diploma on the wall that opens doors rather than as a golden opportunity to receive education and expand their minds. Too often people forget to live in the moment because they are consumed with planning the next goal, the next check mark, and the next rung on the ladder that is their life plan. If we live by this way of thinking, we will never be happy nor satisfied; and, if and when we reach old age, we will have sped right past what are meant to be some of life’s most joyful chapters and fulfilling occasions. As the old saying goes, “stop and smell the roses.”

Bizrat HaShem, with God’s help, may we all stop and enjoy the moments that we have and are blessed with.

Wishing you a Good Shabbos and a great weekend.

Bivrakha,

Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky

Beth El Congregation | 520 Fairmont Ave, Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-1889 (office)