Making Partner!

B” H

Joseph had just landed his dream job at the prestigious law firm of Stevens and Goldberg. The Law Firm had been looking for a very long time to fill the empty position with someone of his stature, who had superior qualifications and who would bring untold success to their firm, and who would propel the company to its next level. Joseph was so happy that he now had a respectable salary, benefits, great managers and coworkers, and a position that perfectly fit his skill set. For months Joseph was greeted warmly by all of the staff.

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Words of praise were like a repetitive song that was constantly playing in the background. Case after case Joseph kept hitting them out of the ballpark. Competitive firms were gossiping to find out who was the firm's new secret weapon, and what it would take to bring that person over to their rival company.

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Joseph respected his co-workers very much and was completely devoted to the work ethic of the company. He was proud to work for a company that encouraged donating many hours to pro bono projects for people who were less fortunate. The leadership was always challenging their employees to step up their game and make great strides for their clients. There was also zero tolerance for any staff members that treated other staff members with disrespect.

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As time went by, Joseph’s wife and family fit into the upper-middle-class suburban community like a glove. After a major victory that Joseph and his team had achieved, rumors of Joseph being made a partner were being bandied about. One would have to have been totally oblivious not to hear the gossip of who would fill his position.

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A few weeks later Joseph woke up to a flashing message on his mobile. Memo: Your presence is requested at noon today for a board meeting on the 50th floor. Please cancel any other conflicting meetings.

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Joseph couldn’t move, he was completely immobilized. This was the famous message that hundreds of the staff shed buckets of sweat and spent sleepless nights waiting for.

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His wife Sue looked over at him with worry and concern. What is it? What's the matter? Are you ill? Should I call the doctor? Joseph had barely had enough control over his right hand to show the message to his wife.

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Sue read the message and understood the gravity and possibilities that this meeting might mean for them as a family.

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His wife quickly jumped into her keen fashion sense mode and picked out an elegant suit, tie and shoes for him to wear for the serious occasion.

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While Joseph tried his best to focus on his workload until noon, Sue was in dreamland about the possibilities of what his possible promotion would mean to them and their family. She constantly checked the time and finally sent Joseph an encouraging message a few minutes before noon.

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Two hours later Joseph pulled up to their home in a brand new minivan that Sue had been begging for, for over two years!

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Sue started jumping for joy, singing, and dancing. Their young children came running into the room and started to sing and dance as well, not knowing what exactly was going on but sensing that something big and good was here to stay!

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Tuesday, January 1st finally arrived. The partnership ceremony was called for 12 noon. At 11:30 AM a driver in a black stretch limousine was waiting to pick up Joseph and his family. The driver pulled up in front of the fifty-story executive building and quickly rushed to open the door for them. They waded through hundreds of coworkers and friends who were cheering and applauding Joseph's journey through the building and up to the top floor to accept his new position.

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After Joseph's heartfelt warm acceptance speech that had brought the room to a standing ovation, it was now time for the Chairman and founder to speak. Mr. Stevens congratulated Joseph on his past accomplishments and the love, admiration, and trust that he had for him and for the company. He warmly welcomed him on board to his small but elite team.

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Mr. Stevens spoke about the level of trust that is being given over to Joseph and how much he and the others believe in him. “However, before you agree to become a partner you must know that at this level any breach in our working relationship is fatal. Wherever you go from this point on you are representing our firm. This bond that we are making here tonight is forever irrevocable. Breaching this relationship would have fatal consequences not just for yourself but for the other partners, associates, and all of our clients. If there ever comes a day that for whatever reason you just don't feel like giving your one hundred percent, I ask you to stop for a moment and remember the fatal consequences and these thoughts will force you past your apathy and indifferent mood.”

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A few days from now will be the holiday of Shavous when the Jewish nation celebrates receiving the Torah. According to the Midrash, (an ancient commentary on part of the Hebrew scriptures attached to the biblical text,) the holiday of Shavuot, was the wedding day between Hashem and his chosen nation. Every year the Jewish people renew their vows on this day and study the Torah all night long in order to show how important this relationship is to us. On one hand, there was a loving side that our nation responded to when asked if we will accept the Torah with the words we will do and we will listen. Those words were said when our nation was in a good place. A place of love and gratitude to the infinite one.

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However, there will be times when a part of us just prefers to sleep in that day or cheat a little in our relationship. You should look around to see what some other options are. For those moments, as it says in the Gemarah Shaabos, (Shabbat is the first tractate of Seder Moed of the Mishnah and the Talmud.) Hashem lifted up a mountain and held it on top of the Jewish nation and said, use this embedded memory as a tool to get past your dry spells. Remember that you are now a partner in the creation and maintenance of the world. Never forget that as a partner you are constantly representing Hashem. G-d needs your work as it is crucial not just for perfecting yourself but for positively impacting the entire cosmos.

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So, on the Holiday of Shavuot, we should rejoice with good wine and great cheesecake, embracing the physical benefits of being the chosen nation but at the same time staying up all night learning the Torah in order to better prepare ourselves on fulfilling our obligations of partnering with the Divine one above.?

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Have a wonderful Holiday,

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Yitzchok Friedman