By Rabbi Raymond Beyda | Series: Reflections | Level: Beginner

When you are in a hurry every one is the enemy. If you need to get important documents in the mail there is always a very slow clerk at the post office counter. If you need to make a deposit in the bank and get to a meeting the person in front of you on line will chat endlessly with the teller about trivial things. When you need to pick up the children from school the person in front of you at the store invariably presents an item without a price ticket to the cashier who them must page a clerk for a “price check”. Sometimes it seems like the whole world is against you.

The fact of the matter is all of those people are not acting any differently than they always do. Sometimes you find them aggravating and at other times their fumbling may amuse you. The difference is not in them it is in you. Patience quotient is a factor of your mood. If you are pressed you see things differently than they may appear when you have time to spare.

The solution is simple. Expect things to take longer than you expect. Plan for the unexpected delay. Anticipate traffic, a slow clerk and an unforeseen obstacle. Leave time to enjoy life. Those same people that always seem to be right in front of you will still be there BUT they will make you laugh with amusement and a feeling of intelligence as you outsmart the slowpoke enemies that inhabit the world.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

If one is walking and wants to say the required recitation of the Keriyat Shema, one must pause and stand in place while reciting the first verse. This requirement to stop for a moment includes the rectaion of the silent verse ” Barukh, Shem kebod malkhutoh l’olam va-ed”.

[Source: Shulhan Arukh, O’H, Siman63:3, and Halkha Berurah, loc. cit.]

CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE

Walking with the wise will make you wise.

Mishle 13:20