Bolt of Inspiration 53 - Super Bolt XLIV

Speaker:
Ask author
Date:
February 08 2010
Downloads:
0
Views:
77
Comments:
0
 

No matter which side you're rooting for, you have to admire New Orleans Quarterback - Drew Brees.  He is a symbol of resilience to so many fans. His perseverance has gotten him through an amazing season in the wake of his mother's death. His drive allowed him to shine even though he is one of the smallest starting Quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. He has gone through a lot in his life and his position tonight shows us how far a relentless soul can get you.


In a recent article in Atlantic (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201001/good-teaching) called "What Makes a Great Teacher", the writer explains how President Obama has earmarked $4.3 billion for educational research. The preliminary research has revealed something quite fascinating. The single most important trait in determining a teachers' success is not creativity, love of students, or even charisma but rather perseverance. A teacher that has the fortitude to stay committed to their goals through all the ups and downs of a school year - that is the teacher that is going to witness the greatest long term achievements.


This is a staple of Jewish hashkafa, or outlook, in the way Judaism perceives setback. The Jewish dictum "kol man da'avid Rachmanah Letava da'avid", "all that G-d does, is for the good," tells us that no matter what bad befalls us, it has great potential for positive energy. The challenge for us is to figure out the nature of this positive energy and how to use it to our advantage. This is also the notion of the kur habarzel, the iron mallet, as the Midrash refers to our servitude in Egypt. The beatings and back breaking senseless labor that we were forced to endure served to convert us into iron, stalwart warriors who know to take their losses and build from it.

Machshava:

Collections: Rabbi Einhorn Bolt of Inspiration

    More from this:
    Comments
    0 comments
    Leave a Comment
    Title:
    Comment:
    Anonymous: 

    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Judy & Mark Frankel & family l'ilui nishmos מרדכי בן הרב משה יהודה ע"ה and משה יהודה ז"ל בן מאיר אליהו ויהודית and by the Polinsky Family to commemorate the 5th Yahrzeit of Gil Polinsky, Gedalyahu Gootmun Chaim ben Yaakov Dov