Guest Blogger: Gifts from Shemayim | By Ari Zeltzer

Mordechi departed the physical world earlier in the morning. He awoke to find his soul in a place were souls go prior to their audience with the king of kings. An angel approached Mordechi and said, “Welcome, Mordechi. . . I have been assigned to you. I will be defending you before the heavenly court. There is not much time and a lot of work to do. So, lets begin.” Moredechi, stood in silence, a million thoughts racing through his mind. He was amazed, although he no longer had a physical body he was still able to think, feel emotion and he could articulate his thoughts without actually speaking.

The angel began, “Mordechi, tell me, what do you believe to be your greatest accomplishment during your time spent in the physical world?” Mordechi, immediately responded enthusiastically, “well my learning Torah of course. I spent all my days toiling in the Torah. I even finished Shas seven times!!” Impressive, the angel said. Very impressive. Mordechi continued, “I also never missed a minyan. I davened at the same shul every day! As far as I can remember I never missed a single prayer service.” The angel said again, “impressive, very impressive.” The angel continued, “your avodas to Hashem was strong that will serve well in your defense.” Mordechi felt good and confident. He was proud of the Torah he had learned and his avodas Hashem and was hopeful it would bring him a great portion in Olam Haba.

The angel continued, “Tell me Mordechi, I am curious, how well did you know the people whom you prayed with all those years at the shul?” Mordechi was surprised by this inquiry; after all when he went to shul he was there to pray and during those in between moments he spent his time learning. He never really gave much thought to the people around him. The angel probed further, “Did you know the name of the man who sat next to you everyday?” There was a brief pause as Mordechi thought about this and then with excitement he responded, “Of course I did!!!” Good said the angel, good. How about the man who sat five rows behind you on the right hand side of the shul, did you know his name? Mordechi, knew that while he saw the man everyday, in all honesty he could not remember his name, “I did not,” he answered. The angel continued, “Did you ever invite either of these men and their family over for a Shabbos or Yom Tov meal?” Mordechi thought for a long time and finally realized he never did, he realized that he prayed in the same shul all those years with the same people and never once asked them over for a Shabbos or Yom Tom meal.

How could he have been so self absorbed he thought? How could he have overlooked the important mitzvah of Hakhnassat Orchim (hosting guests) that Hashem provided him the opportunity to do everyday? Images began to race through his mind, not only of the men whom the angel mentioned but flashes of countless men and women of his congregation who he had come into contact with throughout the years, people who had no place to go for a meal, and yet he did not invite them. He never invited them. . .

The angel interrupted his thoughts; I see we only have time for one more question before we must go before the heavenly court. I need to know, were you involved at all in making Shidduchim (Jewish matchmaking)? As you know the almighty finds this to be an extremely important mitzvah. He spends all his free time making shiduchim. Were you involved in this mitzvah? “Of course,” said Mordechi, “I was involved in the process of all five of my children’s marriages!” Excellent, the angel said. “How about those who were not part of your family? Did you ever make any shidduchim outside your own family?” Mordechi immediately knew the answer to this question, however he did not respond. Rather he tried to recall any instance in which he might have been involved in a shidduch outside his own family. He thought and thought and went into the deep recesses of his memories hoping to find a memory of someone whom he had helped to find a shidduch. Someone who he made a phone call for, or made an introduction for, or even just offered moral support. Yet, he came up blank. He was unable to think of anyone outside his own family who he helped find a shidduch. Suddenly there was a great sound, the time had come, Mordechi along with his defending angel were being summoned. . .

Everyday Hashem presents us with numerous opportunities to do mitzvahs. The person who is sitting next to you at davening who needs a place to eat, the single who you see every week at shul who needs a shidduch, the person who needs a job, the sick person who needs a helping hand, the parent who needs help with their child, the student who needs a rabbi to help them grow , the person who needs a friend.  Every single day there is a new opportunity presented to each of us, every single day . . . isn't it time we open are eyes, see those  opportunities for what they really are, gifts from Shamayim and start taking advantage of them?

If you enjoyed reading this post, please comment and share it with a friend and commit yourself to taking advantage of the next opportunity that comes your way.