Bring Home the Runners

"You better stand tall when they're calling you out, don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down - It's my life, it's now or never" (BJ)

You're up ... up to you! Be a game winner!

People often talk about the End of Days. As Jews, we are trained from a young age to anticipate the coming of Moshiach, as well as frequently discuss what will happen when he finally arrives. Naturally, we are intrigued by the topic. We cannot wait until the day when there will be global peace, unity and universal glorification of Hashem's singular sovereignty upon the world. However, one thing is for certain - we must deserve it!
This requires a collective effort. As we diligently strive to fulfill our Torah obligations, we must always keep in mind that our personal observance and accomplishments alone will not earn our Final Redemption, rather we must assist others to achieve the same objective.
It's a team effort. And a lot rides on each player.

It's the 9th inning. Two down. Bases loaded. Down by four. And we're at the bottom of the order.
But before the game ends, let's take a quick look at the key moments that led up to this crucial batter. We've left several runners stranded. Although we scored several times, we also had many other failed opportunities. One of your star teammates sacrificed earlier to deep right, moving up the base runners and scoring one. But our defense made some critical mistakes. Though we had some big hits, those errors cost us dearly.
But forget about those now. That's in the past. The game is on the line ... and you're up!
We cannot afford another sacrifice. You need to get on! And you need to come home safely!
 Focus. Concentrate. 
Put in all your power and knock that ball right out of the park! The game is in your hands!

Go on. Bring home those runners! 

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, give me the will-power and strength to be a star player on Your team!"

Let It Settl-Lin a While

"It's gonna take time, a whole lot of precious time, it's gonna take patience and time ... to do it right child" (GH)

Do you want to be an overnight
sensation or truly great?

A good steak takes time to grill. A fine wine takes time to age. A baseball glove takes time to break in.
True greatness takes time. A whole lot of time.
People of often quick to buy into the new fad. The new style. Everything is quick to become "the best ever" overnight. Yet, as we have seen through the ages, true greatness is almost never just born. Lasting greatness takes time and perseverance.

We witness one spectacular phenomenon all the time. Whether with super-power nations on a big scale or one-hit-wonders on a small scale. Throughout recent history, the world of sports, entertainment and music have certainly produced some beloved icons that have demonstrated a rise to stardom and glory, however long their fame lasted. From enduring stars such as Michael Jordan, Joe Montana and Clint Eastwood to Bill Cosby, Babe Ruth and Mordechai Ben David (?!), there have been a comparatively select few who retained their celebrity status over time compared to the thousands more who quickly faded from the public eye.
What will be with the new talent? The new phenomenons? The Tim Tebows and Jeremy Lins? 
Only a fool will immediately pronounce the long-term talent, but only an ignorant historian will doubt the possible potential. 
Time will tell. 


After 3,000 years, time has certainly proved the lasting capacity of two entities that have endured countless obstacles, infinite tribulations and boundless opposition - the Torah and the Jewish People. The mighty Greeks are no longer. The pompous Romans have long fallen. What was once perceived as timeless was proven mortal once and again.
As the years pass and the generations ensue, we continue to remain the true beacon of greatness.
And great we will always be.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help me to be great today - truly great!" 

What a Brees!

"We're leaving together ... It's the final countdown" (E)

We're down to the wire. Are you
ready to set a new world record?

We live in a world of opportunity. In a world of means. With so many powerful tools and endless resources at our fingertips, we are at the peak of civilization.
Right?
Electricity was just the beginning. We have phones - cell phones, high speed Internet, 1080p LCD HDTV plasma mumbo jumbo screens, and the list goes on and on. We feel pretty smart, hey?
Turning from the physical world of technological advancements and moving to the religious world, the picture may shift a bit. Or a bunch.
Contrasting ourselves to the greats of the recent century, like the saintly Chofetz Chaim, and certainly to those long ago, such as the Avos and Imahos, we pale in comparison. Their lives were dedicated to the service of Hashem. Their accomplishments far surpass anything we can possibly achieve. With all of the wisdom we seem to have demonstrated in developing state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology, we cannot even come close to the perfection and sacrifice of Avrohom Avinu by Akeidas Yitzchok, the unbreakable commitment of Yosef ha'Tzaddik in Mitzrayim, or the complete faith of Moshe Rabbeinu through the years in the Midbar.
Or can we?

For all the football fans around the country, 2011 proved to be a milestone year to remember. After 27 years of legendary quarterback Dan Marino's single season passing record of 5,084 yards sitting safely within the sacred record books, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints finally broke it this season (after nearly breaking it back in 2008). Together, they remain the only two quarterbacks to ever toss more than 5,000 yards in a single season. At first glance, Drew Brees would certainly measure up, if nor surpass, the great Dan Marino. If he broke his record, surely he is a better player. However, the critics question this achievement. Many have correctly pointed out a glaring red (yellow?) flag in this comparison. Over the years, the rules of the NFL have changed. Due to the league's concern for the safety of its players, especially the heralded and high-paid quarterbacks, they created greater precautions and limitations for the defense. The quarterback and wide receivers now enjoy more protection than ever before, in and out of the pocket, which enables bigger plays. More yards. Some would say, therefore, that although Drew Brees broke the record, Dan Marino remains a far better player.
However, regardless of this point, one fact prevails - the record has been broken ... and Drew Brees now holds that record.

We may not be greater than those before us - they were certainly leagues ahead of us. And although their achievements were borne out of hard work, sacrifice and self-perfection, we, with greater ease and far less sacrifice can accomplish the same - and perhaps even more. We can snatch the record by bringing the ge'ula shileima, with the coming of Moshiach - something nobody before us has accomplished!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength to be great today - truly great!"

We Have the Key

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key" (E)

Remember - the key is in our hand. Use it!

Everyone has moments and situations in their lives when they feel incapable of overcoming a terrible predicament or difficult challenge. Feeling powerless and unprepared, we often give up and give into the pressures we face. If only, we feel, something extraordinary were to occur to save us, we are doomed. Without a solution or option, we lose hope. However, how many times did we realize only after the event that the answer to our issue was right before our eyes all along, yet, due to our attitude, we failed to recognize it?

The other night, I was having some problems with my wife's disc player in her minivan and attempted to fix it. With several screwdrivers and various other tools in hand, I made way into the car and prepared for what I thought would be a quick job. I rolled up my sleeves, turned on the dome lights and got ready to work. 
After I took apart the dashboard and disconnected the ventilation system and dash electronics, I removed the disc changer. Once I unscrewed what seemed to be dozens of screws, I saw the issue - the CD's were jammed. Tugging, pulling and jabbing at the discs proved to be unsuccessful, and it dawned upon me that I would have to bring it to a more knowledgeable "professional" than me. All of the connections and parts were reinstalled, I turned off the lights and manually locked the door from the inside.
In the morning, I was met with a surprise - the minivan wouldn't start. It only took a few seconds before I realized what happened ... I had drained the battery by keeping the interior lights on for so long the previous night. I immediately called Chaverim (a Jewish volunteer group that are exactly what they're called - friends) to lend me a hand. When they arrived, I took out my fob to click the car open - but even that didn't work. The battery was completely dead!
"Now how am I going to get into the car?" I exclaimed in despair.
The Chaverim member smiled back at me and patiently answered, "Why don't you just use the actual key to unlock the door manually?"
I am quite the professional.

Instead of giving up, perhaps the solution is right there before us! In our very own hands!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help me find the key to any issue that arises!"

That's the Goal

"Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out" (AM)

Are you ready to score?

Life is challenging  - by design. Each moment in our lives, we make decisions that have the capacity of altering and redirecting our future in unfathomable ways. Every word that is spoken, every gesture that is made, every action that is executed and even every thought that passes through the mind is a distinct decision - a decision that we either consciously or subconsciously make. Life wouldn't be the same without them. They enhance our lives, making us stronger, better and more experienced in this journey. The greater the decision, the greater the challenge. The greater the challenge, the greater the gain if we succeed. The greater we become. Without such challenges, we gain nothing.

One of the most influential and well-respected Torah leaders of the past generation in Eretz Yisroel was Rav Sholom Schwadron, tz"l, known as the beloved and famed "Maggid of Yerushalayim." His powerful and heartfelt talks remain etched in the minds and thoughts of the countless people that drank thirstily from his words. On one occasion, he was speaking with a teenager, and the conversation moved to the topic of soccer and the youngster's intense obsession with it.
"I don't understand how the game works," Rav Sholom innocently remarked.
The teen briefly explained the basic objective and rules of soccer, to which Rav Sholom simply responded, "If the goalie is blocking the net, why don't the players just come at night when he's gone and kick the ball in then!"
Though a bit frustrated, the fellow patiently and respectfully answered, "Because then it wouldn't be counted as a goal - the game would be over! The point is to get it in the net when it's being guarded! Otherwise, what would be the point?"

Exactly the point! We only score when there's a challenge! When the "game" is over, it's over!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength to overcome today's challenges!"

Die Hard Fan

"I've dropped out, I've burned up, I've fought my way back from the dead ... I'll be better when I'm older, I'll be the greatest fan of Your life" (EM)

What kinda fan are you?

Recently, a Holocaust survivor visited our school, and addressed the students in what was a very memorable event. With vivid detail and deep emotion, this well-respected gentleman recounted his experiences of that terrible and painful epoch in Jewish history. He described how he witnessed the local shuls being torched by the henious Nazis, the injustices that prevailed as the norm, and the miraculous process his family merited as they were led to safety from the camps of death.

When he concluded his heart-wrenching account, he welcomed questions from the students. Perhaps one of the most insightful questions came towards the very end, as a boy reflected, "How did you find the courage to rebuild a religious family after witnessing such horrors?"
After a short pause, shrug of the shoulders, and slightly perplexed expression, the man responded simply, "Because I was a Jew! I was born a Jew, I lived my life as a Jew, and I will always be a Jew!"

There are several tiers of fans in the world of sports. First, there are the casual followers who watch a game every now and then when the chance arises. Then there are those who classify themselves as fans of specific teams and keep up to date with scores and schedules. However, the top of the line fans are what we call "die hard fans." They pledge allegiance to their team, religiously watch each and every game with total concentration and excitement, memorize statistics, monitor trades, and own every form of memorabilia and team merchandise. They may even have season tickets - box seats, of course.
What happens when these die hard fans' team loses? Do they jump ship? Do they simply choose another team to follow? After all their effort, time and monetary investments, are they willing to give it all up so fast? NEVER! Not a die hard fan! They're in it until the bitter end! Win or lose. They're team is the best - and nobody will ever convince them otherwise!

We lost six million of our brothers and sisters - our fellow fans. They were born as fans, lived as fans, and died as fans. And they didn't just die quietly.
They were die hard fans.
And the best fans die hard.

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength and courage to always be Your fan and follow only You!"

Your Daily Dose of Pro-Teen

"If I listened long enough to you, I'd find a way to believe that it's all true ... still I look to find a reason to believe" (RS)

Want to feel better?
Add some Pro-Teen to your diet!

Our health is important - both our physical and spiritual health. We need both to survive. Just as we need to remain healthy by feeding our bodies what it needs to function well, similarly, our souls need nourishment. We accomplish this by davening, learning Torah and doing mitzvos. Our souls depend upon these nutrients. And, just as if the body is deficient in certain vital nutrients, it can begin the deteriorate and cause us harm, so too, the soul. If we do not "feed" it "religiously," it will most certainly begin to decay and cause us immeasurable, long-lasting sorrow.
The teenage years can be turbulent times. At this age, children are at a period in their lives where they are making decisions and choosing their direction in life. Every step of the way, they choose their actions, those that will ultimately pave the way for their future. For them to succeed, we need to instill the seeds of success well before they arrive at this pivotal junction in time.

Vitamins are part of daily life. From a very young age, children consume various vitamins to retain their health and well-being. Many parents are fixated on making certain that every possible vitamin category is addressed properly. Systematically, they have their children take an array of vitamins as part of their morning routine. However, even those parents who do not pump vitamins into their children, there are times that they are triggered to begin, such as after a doctor's appointment. If results from a blood test show a deficiency in a certain area, surely the parents will become more vigilant in providing the necessary vitamins their child requires rather than allowing the problem to persist. 

If a teenager demonstrates a deficiency in his religious health, it is our duty to provide the much-needed "vitamins" to bring him back to healthy levels. This must be done with care and love since after all, we are dearly concerned about him. It goes without saying that we wouldn't want to cause further decline and jeopardize his future by pushing him to neglect the vitamins. Negativity, coercion, criticizing and reprimanding are all catalysts of greater distance and far worse health. It is, therefore, our responsibility to be positive and loving so that they will want to become healthier.
We must be supportive.
Accepting.
After all, the vitamins have to taste good and not leave a repugnant taste in their mouths! If we want them to take what they need, shouldn't we have a bit more pro-teen in our diets?

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help me be a healthier Jew!"