Frames
Rabbi Raymond Beyda
There is something about a frame that makes an average picture beautiful.
It may be a family photo or an expensive piece of art --regardless of its
untrimmed beauty -- a frame takes it to the next level. Choosing the right
frame for the picture and the setting in which it will be placed is a big
factor on how pleasing it will look to the eye of the beholder. Different
frame -- different reaction.
A person has free will as to how he or she will react to any given
situation. In fact, two people may see the same event and react quite
differently from one another. One may sit calmly and "let it slide" while
another may blow up and react violently. It depends on how each sees
the "picture". An initial reaction is not always the best response.
A good way to control temper is to re-frame the pictures that aggravate.
One way to react and to defuse an otherwise explosive situation is to
say: "This is just a test. G-d wants me to grow so he sent me this
situation to see if I can control myself." Another is to say, "This too
shall pass. It always does!" Or perhaps a frustrating situation calls for
a frame that says: "The reward is commensurate with the pain."
Today when something or someone is about to get your goat -- just before
you lose it -- stop. It only takes a minute to take the picture out of the
ugly frame it is in and to reframe it into a beautiful work that will
yield personal improvement and growth.
DID YOU KNOW THAT
For Sefaradim who say only one blessing when donning tefillin -- if one is
putting on his tefillin and he is at the point between wrapping the straps
on the arm and placing the piece on his head and he hears another
finishing the blessing "l'haneah tefillin" -- it is preferred that he
refrain and not answer "amen" to his neighbor's blessing.
If, however, he did respond with "amen" it is not considered an
interruption and he does not have to say a blessing before donning his
headpiece. [Source: Osrot Yosef, Halakha Berurah volume 2, siman 5]
CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE
It is a sin to lie to another -- it is ridiculous to fool oneself.
[Rabbi Bunim of P’sishcha]
Text Copyright © 2004 Rabbi Raymond Beyda and Torah.org.
