The NYT Millennium Edition
For many years in the 90’s there was a small advertisement that ran every Friday on the bottom corner of the front page of the New York Times. It read, “Jewish Women: Shabbat candle lighting time this Friday is ____pm.” It not only served as a reminder of this eternal mitzvah, but it also expressed Jewish pride.
The advertisement ceased after the sponsor ended it, but it reappeared once.
On January 1, 2000, the NY Times ran a Millennium edition. It was a special issue that featured three front pages. One had the news from January 1, 1900. The second was the actual news of the day, January 1, 2000. And then they had a third front page, projecting future events of January 1, 2100.
This fictional page included things like a welcome to the fifty-first state: Cuba, a discussion on whether robots should be allowed to vote, etc… And there was one more thing. Down on the bottom of the Year 2100 front page, was the candle lighting time in New York for January 1, 2100. No one paid for it, it was a fictional advertisement put in there by the NYT.
The production manager of the New York Times – an Irish Catholic – was asked about this curious entry. His answer speaks to the eternity of our people and to the power of Jewish ritual.”We don’t know what will happen in the year 2100. It is impossible to predict the future. But of one thing you can be certain. That in the year 2100 Jewish women will be lighting Shabbos candles.”
Faced with the uncertainty caused by the Pandemic, many businesses and organizations were faced with challenging decisions on how to continue operating successfully. Business models had to be restructured and unconventional strategies had to be implemented in order to remain competitive and relevant. However, the relationships we build, the philanthropic initiatives we are involved with, and the positive impact we continue to make on ourselves and the world around us will always remain.
This week we read a double portion of the Torah, Matos & Massei, which are the last two Parshiot of the book of Numbers. Interestingly, the names of these two portions express two opposite extremes. The translation of Matos is a staff (or stick), which connotes something which is sturdy, consistent and firm. Maasei means journeys, signifying fluidity and constant movement.
In truth, however, these two themes actually work together in unison. When our morals, integrity and connection to G-d remain firm, we can experience real positive growth and success. As long as we are in touch with the inherent value of our soul and purpose in life, we can weather any storm.
The Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760) taught that the forty two journeys that the Jewish people experienced in the desert also apply to the journeys we all go through in life. Although we may experience setbacks or unforeseen circumstances, through learning from our obstacles or mistakes, we transform them into springboards to propel us further.
When everything a person does is toward the goal of attaining the “Holy Land”—the sanctification of the material world—these, too, are “journeys.” May we merit reaching our destination very soon with the coming of Moshiach now!
