blogs/cantor-herschel-fox

Summer Vacation

As we approach summer and all of us look forward to an annual vacation I can't help but remember a sermon I heard in Brooklyn NY. I was visiting Boro Park and it must have been 105 that day. I went to listen to a great cantor at Temple Beth El, one of America's most famous venerable synagogues. Interesting y the rabbi's sermon that morning stayed in my memory all these decades. He talked about what people expected to do on their summer vacation. I think he accurately pointed out that most people probably wanted to donothing . They looked forward to having no responsibilities.

Rabbi Shor suggested an alternative. He said “Why not do something of quality that we never seem to have enough time for.” His gave examples of what we might actually do during our time off �" read a book, learn something new, reach out to an old friend who we hadn't seen for a long time, in other words he encouraged the congregation to do something of quality, and to expand our horizons.   I remember his words “I am not telling you to run around �" you don't have to be busy �" you are already busy all year �" now do something that is special and important to you �" something you never have time for."

Have a wonderful summer vacation and do something for yourself.