The Unpredictable Rebuilding Of Our Future

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In May 2012, on ‘Anderson’s Viewers Got Talent’ segment, Georgia-based artist D. Westry speed painted a portrait in 90 seconds. On the black canvas, D. Westry added some white here and there and some orange here and there as the seconds counted down. You could hear the judges mumbling in the background taking the artist to task for what appeared to be a silly waste of time for everyone.

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The judges appeared to be in agreement that the artist, D. Westry was a fake.

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With three seconds left on the clock, D. Westry stood there pointing to his work of art while the judges and the crowd looked at him like he was a no talent.

Then with a smirk on his face, he turned the painting upside down, and lo and behold it was a masterful portrait of Anderson Cooper.

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Suddenly the audience and the judges whooped and hollered in shock and amazement. It was then that they realized that the artist was talented beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.

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They apologized to him for doubting his talents and praised him and accorded him the respect he deserved.

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There is a quote from an unnamed comedian that goes as follows, “A good joke is one where you don’t see the punchline coming. A great joke is one where you don’t even realize it’s a joke until it’s too late.”

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It says in Tehilim (Psalms) 126 ?? ???? ???? ???? “When the redemption comes our faces will be filled with laughter.” Chasidus asks, what is this term of laughter? We can understand that we will be very happy and our hearts will be filled with joy but what does laughter have to do with redemption? The answer that is given is that redemption will come in a way that will be completely and utterly unpredictable and unexpected.

It will be so unpredictable it will be like a great joke that will cause everyone to laugh and perhaps smirk.

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Chasidus stresses the point for us to become unpredictably good. Each and every one of us get into a routine of life. Based on our previous successes and failures we develop patterns that work for us. However, it is exactly these same patterns and lifestyles that might have satisfied our needs at one point, but now hold us back and keep us extremely limited and in a rut. Chasidus focuses his attention on the importance of striving for the unpredictable with all of your might. Don’t allow past experiences to mold your future.

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If you think bigger and better you can become bigger and better. If you want to help someone, try helping the person to become emboldened and to excel in an outstanding way. Tell yourself that today is a new day with new energy and more potential. When you push yourself into a bold new world, you can expect great things to start flourishing in your life as a result.

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As we come closer to the 9th of Av, where we mourn the loss of the temple let us take it upon ourselves now to do something inspiring for Hashem, thereby setting off a pattern of good works and spiritual illumination. It is imperative that all of us lead an exemplary life and harvest the bright light inside of us so we can cast its vast beam and brightness worldwide and cause the reclamation and speedy rebuild of our temple once again!

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Have a wonderful Shabbos and a meaningful fast!

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Yitzchok Friedman?