The secretary emailed the rabbi:
“This student is taking up so much of your time; an important person is waiting for you in the lobby.” The rabbi replied:
“When I’m speaking with someone, nothing else exists. Right now, this student is the most important person in the world. Period.”
This profound response aligns with a lesson we learn from Bereshit, the first book of the Torah. The Torah dedicates many portions to our history and family lineage to instill a fundamental truth: we are all family.
Freeing ourselves from judgment, stripping away societal labels, and focusing on the core of who we are empowers us to connect deeply and appreciate the extraordinary energy and potential in every person.
This truth is especially significant when it comes to family. Whether my brother is a doctor, a lawyer, or a janitor, it doesn’t matter—he’s my brother. Period.
As Jews, we share the same forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are family.
This is the perspective we must pass on to our children. Judaism is not just a weekly practice or a yearly holiday—it’s our identity. Teaching our children to view every Jew as family strengthens their connection to our heritage and to each other.
By unleashing this sense of brotherhood and unity, we can transform our lives.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendy
