Operation Inspiration
One day, my daughter was supposed to take a flight very early in the morning. Because of that, I arranged for her to stay with a family member who lived near the airport. When the wonderful girl expressed concern that the building she was working in had a Covid outbreak and she was concerned about getting anyone sick (she wore proper protective gear at work and was not officially “exposed” to the virus, but she was sensitive to the family member) I managed to change her flight to the night before.
Then it came time to choose her seat. The options were the seat in the bulkhead, where there is more legroom, or a seat a few rows back. I was going to choose the bulkhead seat for her because I always liked the space and because when you sit in the front, you get to get off the phone earlier.
I was surprised, then, when she opted for the seat a few rows back. Why did she do it? Because she had two carryon bags, and wanted to keep one at her feet so it was easily accessible. Both of us had rational and reasonable reasons for what we thought was the better choice, and ultimately, she was the one who had to fly, so I left the decision to her.
I realized that in life, we all have different motivations and reasons for the things we do and choose. Some people feel very passionate about things and can’t understand why other people don’t feel the same way. No matter what it is, from social welfare to medical care to mitzvos, people have differing viewpoints and priorities. The trick is to realize that just because someone doesn’t agree with me, that doesn’t mean they’re crazy or wrong.
This is actually part of the wisdom with which Hashem imbued Creation. With people focused on different priorities, more things get done. Let’s take tzedakah for example. Some people feel the greatest thing you can support is Torah, be it through a Yeshiva, Kollel, or direct relationships with people who are learning. Some argue that saving a life is the greatest thing you can do, and they will dedicate their time and money to organizations like Hatzoloh. Still others focus on Hachnosas Orchim, feeding the poor, or marrying off brides and grooms.
They are all important and necessary, and Hashem ensured that there would be sufficient divergence of opinion to empower myriad types of Chesed in the world.
Chazal tell us that a person should learn what calls to him. That is to say, if a person loves halacha, he should learn halacha. If Gemara appeals to him, he should spend more time there. Some people love Midrash, some Tanach, and in this way, we find all areas of the Torah being learned and expounded upon. That way, the resources are there for anyone who needs them. Once again, the different strokes for different folks leads to a more complete world.
The Chofetz Chaim’s famous explanation of the words of Borei Nefashos is a perfect example too. He explains that when we praise Hashem for creating numerous creations “and their lack,” we are acknowledging that people are SUPPOSED to be different. The doctor needs the farmer who needs the shoemaker who needs the teacher, and so on. By creating us with different goals, skills, desires, and priorities, Hashem ensures that a society will be created to share these roles.
When we look around and see people who don’t agree with us, we mustn’t be quick to judge them and discard them. On the contrary, they are here to complement our endeavors and complete the world together with us. You can’t have everyone sitting in the front row of the plane, it would be unbalanced!
We need all the different people and passions to enable the world to reach its fulfillment. Some people are pilots, driving others to great heights. Others are the people traveling to a destination where they are needed, and still others attend those travelers and take care of them along the way.
We all have some sort of baggage and need a place to put it. Some put it overhead and some at their feet, but regardless, there are accommodations that work for us. I will not assume I know what’s best for someone else, because even if they’re on the same plane, they may have a very different final destination. I have to let them make their decisions and trust that they have a plan.
I don’t know about you, but I found this small lesson to be quite uplifting.
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