I grew up on the words, “Honesty is the best policy”. It’s a fundamental. It’s also sort of logical yet it’s not always the easiest path because it all stems with being honest with “oneself” and that, based on the way Gd created us — can be challenging.
A few days ago, I was listening to a podcast about the war in Israel and the guest on the podcast said, you need to understand “in the Middle East, what you think, what you say and what you do are rarely the same”.
Yes. We all know that. But it’s also the case outside of the Middle East. It’s the human condition. The challenge to calibrate thought, speech and action. Think about a regular day and in a moment of self reflection you’ll see it’s true— oftentimes, thankfully so. We say certain things and do certain things that we may not want to, but that we know is right.
This Tuesday we commemorate the 30th Yartzeit of the Rebbe. It’s been a long time since he passed away yet his presence is felt more than ever. His reach continues to touch multitudes through the many thousands of Chabad Houses that he continues to inspire and encourage despite his physical passing. Just look locally and see the hundreds of campers at Gan Israel and one can see the continued inspiration of the Rebbe and the bright future of the eternal Jewish nation.
The secret to all this?
Whilst there’s many things to say — one can decisively point to the Rebbe’s unyielding confidence in each and every person whilst gently prodding and assisting to calibrate thought speech and action. He fostered self reflection which in turn teased out inner strength and resolve that would otherwise remain untapped. He was an unequivocal believer in everyone’s ability to contribute to the world in their unique and impossible-to-replace manner.
In short — he helped people be honest with themselves and that is the most powerful and potent tool to helping each of us become more and do more than they ever could imagine!!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,