TRADE DEFICITS
Typically, itās with a modicum of interest at best, that I follow news concerning trade deficits involving these United States. Last week, however my interest was piqued when the news carried an article concerning statements and misstatements regarding trade with Canada. Politics and my native country aside, Iām all for fair trade and I firmly believe that there are other ways of arriving at fair trade other than tariffs.
Economics and economies not withstanding, ātrade deficitsā ought to be our goal in life as Jews. Iām no accountant, but Tiferet has been running a ātrade deficitā for some time now, by giving to the community far more than it receives in return. But whoās counting? This past Sunday serves as an excellent case in point. The time, effort and energy expended for our renowned Chili Cook-Off was well worth the crowd that amassed (as well as placing first for our Chili). Say what you want about the various chili recipes; Tiferet has perfected a recipe for a community event that defies comparison. Whether it was enjoying lunch, quenching oneās thirst with ice-cold soda pop, seeing oneās child revel in any of the many activities available, taking a chance on a raffle ticket, buying various merchandise and/or services, or simply just taking it all in, no different than the congregation itself, Tiferetās Chili Cook-Off is in a league all its own. It matters not oneās branch or denomination of Judaism; it matters not oneās religion or absence from religion, Tiferetās annual Chili Cook-Off has something for everyone. Letās continue this trade deficit along with our communities. Whether it be the Chili Cook Off, Jewish Life Around the World Brunches or any other programs we offer where observance is not the criteria, letās be mighty proud of these programs and the ātrade deficitsā that go along with them!
As one who believes that he takes HaShem and Judaism seriously, I cannot help but feel that there is an ongoing ātrade deficitā between our Heavenly Father and us, wherein most cases HaShem grants us and bestows upon us much more than we give Him in return. Wouldnāt it be something, if we were able to turn that ātrade deficitā around, where we do for HaShem much more than He does for us? Ā I cannot help but feel that just as there is a Dow Jones here on earth indicating how the Stock Market has performed, there is a āMitzvah Marketā up in heaven that indicates how we have performed. An ideal trade deficit would be for HaShem to exclaim, āThe Mitzvah Market is at an all-time high!ā
With Passover a little more than a week away, there exists a ātrade deficitā where more Jews participate in some kind of Seder than one could possibly imagine. As such, they deserve a big Yasher Koach! I dream of yet a different type of ātrade deficitā that is part and parcel of the Pesach Seder. I dream of a ātrade deficitā where participants leave that Seder with more than an abandoned pile of crumbs where they were sitting. I dream of a ātrade deficitā where Seder participants take away lasting messages of matzah, maror as well as lessons gleaned from the hagaddah. I dream of a Seder experience where participants take far more away from the Seder than those who painstakingly prepared for the Seder put in.
More likely than not, there will always be trade deficits when it comes to imports and exports. I pray that our leaders respond and react in the best possible way. I hope and pray that there continue to be ātrade deficitsā so that Tiferet remain the exemplary congregation we know it to be. I hope and pray that a ātrade deficitā is created where we finally do for HaShem than HaShem does for us. I hope and pray that a ātrade deficitā appears at the Passover Seder so that the congregants walk away with lasting lessons they never anticipated learning.