December 24, 2018
Many years ago at a conference, I heard Dr. David Pelcovitz speak about having a bumper sticker. No, not the ones that tout politicians or the name of your kids’ sleep away camp. Rather the intangible one that speaks to who you are at your essence, what you believe in and stand up for.
Over the years, my husband and I spoke about it on various occasions and even had very interesting conversations with our kids about it.
What brought me back was a Sisterhood event I attended at my Shul last week. No we didn’t make bumper stickers or even have a lecture about having one. Rather, we did a really cool craft project where you design a group of images on a computer and then a special machine cuts the image out of paper and then you place it in a floating glass frame. Pretty cool. So the bumper sticker you ask? Well, the organizer had created a number of images for us to choose from and we were instructed to make our own design by placing the images next to each other. So there were Shabbos candles, Kiddush cups, Stars of David, a Torah, Challos, wine bottles, Shabbat Shalom in Hebrew, you get the picture. You could also add in your own text in English to compliment your design.
As I began toying around with different designs, I decided that I wanted to make a placard with the Morris Family on it. Nice. So I began picking out my items. I picked three: Challos, a Torah and Shabbos Candles. As I started to work with the placement, I spent some time pondering my choices. Why did I pick these three? Why not add in the Kiddush cup or wine bottle, or the Star of David or the Shabbat Shalom piece? Why these three? Challah, Neiros (Shabbos Candles) and Torah. That is when I was hit square in the face with my bumper sticker! I never thought of it categorized like this, but I think it makes complete sense to me now.
Each of the three symbols has a special meaning to me in particular for a variety of reasons. The Challah: I only properly learned the Halachos of Hafrashas Challah after I was married and already supposedly performing the Mitzvah. It became part of my mission to teach as many people as were interested about this special Mitzvah. It is the foundation of our belief system that everything comes from Hashem, even when it may seem it is because of our efforts. It is also one of the first Mitzvos given to Bnei Yisrael before they entered into Eretz Yisrael for the first time as a nation. It is also a Mitzvah that follows us in and out of Exile and back to Eretz Yisrael with Redemption G-d Willing very soon! It is a symbol of promise and hope and our connection to G-d and His land that He gave to us as our inheritance. The Neiros (candles): The essence of our people, lighting candles and bringing in the Holy Shabbos reminiscent of the first Shabbos during the week of Creation, recommitting ourselves to G-d. The Torah: This is the foundation of our belief in G-d, His Creations, His commandments and our mission to serve Him and proclaim His glory to all the nations of the world. It is within the Torah that we find all of the laws that govern our day to day lives. One set of laws that speak to me in particular as a Kallah Teacher (Bridal Preparatory Teacher) is that of Family Purity (Taharas Hamishpacha). These are the laws that govern how we interact with our spouse and our family. These three Mitzvos, Challah, Shabbos Candles and Family Purity are the three special Mitzvos given specifically to women. They are also the three special Mitzvos categorized as Eis Ratzon (a time of need). It is when performing these Mitzvos that we are given an extra special opportunity to speak with Hashem; praise Hashem, request of Hashem and thank Hashem for everything we have, need and hope to receive.
These three Mitzvos embody the foundations of everything I stand for: My belief in Hashem as creator of the world, of me and how He is still very much involved in my day to day. My Belief that everything I have comes from Hashem and my belief in our inheritance of the land of Eretz Yisrael and the special connection I have with the land. My belief in the Torah as G-d given and the responsibility I have to abide by those laws. My belief in the incredible power of keeping the Laws of Purity and the safekeeping of my family. My belief in prayer to G-d Who is all knowing, all powerful and Who’s kindness never ceases.
These three symbols are my bumper sticker. I finished creating my frame, I hope it’s not crooked:) I came home and hung it on our family room wall as a reminder to me and my family of what is important, not just at the end of the day, but every day.
Do you have a bumper sticker? What would it be? Have you shared it with your family? How will you remind yourself? #bumpersticker
