My front lawn has once again become the stage for unexpected drama.
No, I did not step into another red ant pile, and thank you for the many wishes for my speedy recovery!
This evening I was on my way out the door when I witnessed the most extraordinary scene.
A small, young boy, not more than 10, was walking a very large dog.
A mastiff.
As they passed in front of my home, the house nearby, which is under construction, emitted a small boom.
The dog must have been spooked.
Because at that moment he refused to go forward.
Not one inch.
The little boy cajoled and pulled, the dog was not budging.
And then the dog made up its mind.
It was going home.
And this enormous dog, and this little boy became engaged in a tug of war the likes of which I have never seen.
Now, all who know me are well aware of my paranoia regarding dogs. Nevertheless, I would have called for help if at any point did I felt the boy was in danger. To his credit, he remained calm throughout.
What ensued was a slow motion ballet between dog and master.
The dog started pulling the boy. No matter how much the young man tried to placate the dog he could not restrain him. He put his whole body weight into resisting the pull of that dog, but to no avail.
Slowly, but surely the dog succeeded in shlepping the boy across the entire length of my yard. The young man was on his knees, stubbornly determined, pulling back every step of the way. But the dog was undeterred until the lad had to admit defeat and they returned in the direction from which they came.
It was actually quite a powerful interaction to witness.
The determination of both parties was strong, and the best man, or perhaps man’s best friend, prevailed.

The days of Elul are passing quickly. Rosh Hashana is coming closer.
We may be working on some aspects of returning to our best selves.
The strategy our Sages teach us is to choose one small action to focus on and to use that as a stepping stone for growth.
On the one hand, we can look at our negative tendencies as a large force, dragging us away from being the best version of ourselves.
Or we can follow the teachings of our Sages who say that in the way a person wants to go, Gd helps to pave that way to allow us to reach our destination.
If we make just a tiny effort towards return, if we open the smallest aperture-Gd meets us with alacrity, by using that effort as an entry way to greatness. The small pinhole we’ve created with our efforts has been magnified to the size of a banquet hall. The small effort we have invested with our determination will yield success in our personal growth we never could have imagined
Our Sages teach us that the way of Gd is to pull us towards return. Because Gd has given us the power to learn, grow and understand as we are pulled toward wisdom. We really desire to be good and do good. Which is why we are taught that a person who desires to improve, will receive the assistance to do so.
As Maimonides says “he will find himself aided in the matter for which he strives”.
Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld taught this is an understanding of the process that is taking place at this time. Gd is not hoping to trip us up and then punish us for sins. Rather the sin is a “missing of the mark” in a world full of challenge and difficulty.
Gd is just waiting for us to pull in the right direction and only wants to help us course correct, to help us on the path we really want to take all along.
In sharing the above thought Rabbi Judah Mischel informs us that this is a time of opportunity and a time of love.
He shares a poignant story about Rabbi Yisroel Alter, a Chassidic Rabbi and survivor of the Holocaust who moved to Israel and tried to rebuild his world.
The Rebbe had a school in Jerusalem and on his way to the school he would pass the dormitory. The boys would scramble in a bit of a panic as he was approaching, not wanting to be caught slacking off. There was a man who lived opposite, a sign painter who noticed this dynamic and started a little system of warning the boys that the Rebbe was coming. He would quietly call out to the boys “zeh ba - this is coming”.
The boys appreciated the heads up and would be appropriately prepared for the arrival of their teacher.
But one day the painter was so absorbed in his work until he felt the benevolent presence of someone at his side. He almost passed out when he looked up saw the Rebbe himself standing there. And then, to the sign painter’s great shock, the Rebbe leaned down and whispered to him quietly “Zeh Ba”.
The Rebbe had known all along and had never said a word. In fact he was giving the painter the opportunity to once again sound the alarm. Because his presence was not meant to frighten the children, it was intended to help them find their way.
The painter was mortified by his actions but the Rebbe blessed him as he understood the painter only had best intentions for the students sake.
Rabbi Mischel concludes his piece by reminding us that the High Holy days are coming -Zeh Ba, the ultimate King, is approaching. We start the Selichos services this Saturday night as we “scramble” to stand before Him and talk about some times when we have missed the mark and perhaps have been dragged in the wrong direction, even when we tried our hardest to resist.
This is our chance as Gd will assist in every way possible to help us grow and thrive.
Zeh Ba - this is coming.
We are taught that in the month of Elul, Gd is in the field, which means the opportunity to connect is so close and accessible - maybe no further than one’s front lawn.
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!