A teacher once complained to a parent of one of his students about how the boy never behaved well in class. The teacher recommended putting the boy on Ritalin. The father responded that he leaves work early in the morning and wouldn’t be able to give the boy the Ritalin. The teacher told the father that he will give the boy the Ritalin.
In order to avoid embarrassing the boy, every day the teacher asked the boy to leave the class to make him coffee; he told the boy to take the pill while on his mission. A few weeks later the teacher called the father and sang the boy’s praises. The boy had become so wonderful that he was now the best in the class. The father was so proud of his son. When the boy arrived home, the father asked him what had changed. Why has the teacher suddenly began praising him? The boy responded that he didn’t do anything drastic, but that everyday his teacher would send him to make a coffee and the boy would slip these pills in the coffee.
This time of year we return to G-d. We attempt to fix our ways. We attempt to emulate G-d’s kindness. G-d wants us to see each other in good light. If we judge our brothers favorably then G-d will judge us favorably.
In the world of Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha, we don’t judge. We see past illness to a soul. We see past an action to a soul. When the teacher was “suddenly” happy, he was able to see the good in his student. When we are happy, we are able to find the good in each other and truly love.
This is the message of Camp Simcha. Seize life, Love fully, Live Joyfully. If you embody these ideals , they undoubtedly will spread to the next person and allow him to live a more happy life. May the happiness and light we radiate daily give us merit in G-d’s eyes, and may he look at us favorably as well.
May all those who need salvation receive it speedily and may the world know of no more illness and sadness.
With wishes for a great year,
Ari Dembitzer