Letter to the Editor: Rabbi David Geffen
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Rabbi David Geffen is a native Atlantan and Conservative rabbi who lives in Jerusalem.
Letter to the Editor,
Dear Friends and Family,
Unfortunately, because of unusual circumstances and the continuing war, I have faced quite a bit of the sadness of death most frequently. Here are some quotes which I have found – they target life.A religious sect decided its motto would contain these words, “millions now living will never die.”
Look at this reply to the words – “yes, but the tragedy is that millions now living are already dead.”
We know what the medical definition of death is. But what is the status of the human being when the soul shrivels and the spirit withers?
The longest life ends too soon – a faint tick on the clock of eternity. And yet, WE have enough time to make a difference in so many ways. We can determine how we use each day, all the more precious for what it becomes for us.
For all its brevity, LIFE is long enough to find fulfillment to matter, to choose a path. The number of our days may be beyond our control, but their quality and texture depend on us.
Time moves steadily ahead. Like manna, in the Bible, it cannot be hoarded. Nor can it be reversed. The film of life cannot be rewound. Nor can life be halted in its flight.
A famous philosopher asked, “What can we do with time?” We can kill it, we can waste it, we can use it, we can invest it, prisoners serve time, musicians mark time, idlers pass time, speeding motorists make time, referees call time, historians record time, scorekeepers keep time!
Remember well – the only time we have – our 24 hours of 60 minutes each day.
Whatever time takes – it leaves something behind.
In place of loved ones – time leaves undying and enduring lessons. The BLOOM time stole – it replaced with lines gently etched in the bright moments of shared laughter and somber moments of chastening sorrow.
If we can no longer run as quickly as we did yesterday – we can stand today with great poise.
While TIME was stealing the smoothness from our skins, IT was giving us the opportunity to remove the wrinkles from our souls.
YOUR TIME IS YOURS USE IT WELL.
Rabbi David Geffen, Jerusalem, Israel
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