Tune It Up

"Well, we're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feelin' alright." (BJ)

Open a new chapter
in the life of a Jew

In order to grow a tree, you first need to plant the seeds.
We never know when a small act on our part could be just the right seeds that will ultimately cause a towering tree to sprout. With this in mind, we must learn to always calculate our words and actions. As the Chazon Ish (Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, tz"l, 1878-1953) used to remark, "Before speaking, one must think of the goal he is trying to achieve through his words."
Indeed, even the shortest remark can have the most powerful or most devastating effect. The smallest action can be a catalyst to either tremendous growth or a disastrous decline.

Before starting a new Kollel, its founder went to ask the great Rav Menachem Man Shach, tz"l (1899-2001) for advice about where to open it. Rav Shach instructed him to open the Kollel in a rather conspicuous location.
Rav Shach, in his immense wisdom, reasoned, "After all, if the lights in the Kollel are on at night and people hear the sound of Torah study, they may come in and be influenced to advance their Jewish observance!"
One day, the director of a liberal organization, a man in his seventies, walked into the Kollel. He requested a regular, steady chavrusa and subsequently made great strides in his religious observance. The Rosh Kollel, more than a bit curious, asked him what had triggered his new found interest.
"Back in 1948," the man began, "I was part of a unit that attacked an Arab police academy. The first two attempts resulted in many casualties for our unit. Before the third assault, one of the religious fighters suggested learning some Mishnayos for the success of the mission. He read the Mishnayos out loud in a beautiful melody for about fifteen minutes. We then attacked, and the academy was successfully overtaken. For over fifty years, I have been longing to hear that melody again. The other night, when I was passing this building, I heard that sweet melody once more. I knew that I had to come inside. I knew what I had to do."

If we would only know that we have the ability to make such a monumental change in the life of a fellow Jew, we would never pass up the opportunity to share a kind word with someone else.
A kind deed.
Or even just a warm smile.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"I will try to make every encounter today a positive one!"