Inspiration Times Three

Inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes. A few weeks ago, during a Fabrigin at Chabad of Northern Nevada, visiting Rabbi Shlomie Chein told us a story of a wagon driver who thought he had a mundane, uninspiring job. One day he went to his Rebbe for some words of inspiration, but when he finally met with the Rebbe he was so nervous, all he could say was, "I am a simple wagon driver." The Rebbe (Maharash) looked at the man and told him that his job affords him a unique opportunity each and every day to lift his eyes on high and see a reminder of G-d in everything he sees. Rabbi Chein went on to say that Synagogues have large windows so their congregations can easily see outside, and thus be consistently reminded of G-d whenever they are in Shul. Given the fact that our shul is located at the base of the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the entire group seated around the table could relate to the Rebbe Maharash's insightful words. Despite the enormity of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the unmatched splendor of nearby Lake Tahoe, three of the most inspirational examples of Hashem's blessings in Northern Nevada may be Moshe, Chana and Rochel Cunin, four year old triplets and three of Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzin Sarah Cunin's children.
Recently, on the first night of Pesach, when it came time for the Four Questions, the three popped up to stand on their chairs and beautifully and melodically chanted the questions that young Jewish children have been asking their parents for over 3315 years. The Cunin triplets are members of Northern Nevada's first-ever Jewish pre-school. Despite the fact that they cannot yet read or write, the triplets and their classmates have memorized myriad songs, prayers and passages as part of their daily lessons. Each member of this fledgling pre-school is an inspiration to their parents, friends and neighbors in our small Jewish community. Some of the parents of the students, who previously were uninterested or unaware of their Jewish heritage, have watched their children flourish in the warm embrace of the Gan Sierra Pre School and have started lighting Shabbos candles, eating kosher food and attending shul more frequently, as their tiny children inspire them to cultivate and build stronger Jewish roots at home.

During the Seder when the Cunin triplets stood up on their chairs, with smiles from ear to ear, and gleefully sang their songs and asked the Four Questions, I watched the reaction of the smiling adults around the packed room. It was as if each and everyone one of them were suddenly transported back in time, to a moment when they were the little ones standing on their chairs, singing for their Zaydes, Bobes, Moms and Dads. As Moshe, Chana and Rochel sang each question from memory, the adults at the table let their minds drift back to a much simpler, loving, inspirational time in their respective lives; a time when they were inspired to learn more about our Jewish roots, heritage and traditions. In today's busy world many of us think it is too late, too difficult, or to embarrassing to go back to our Jewish roots and explore and embrace the teachings of Torah, and to live more observant lives. But in reality, it is never too late to take the first step toward a more spiritual, Torah-based life. A simple call to any Chabad House in the world will be met with an open, sincere, accepting invitation to learn, at your own pace, information about your people, traditions, and rich heritage.

On the day before the first night of Pesach, a Reno resident sent a letter to our local newspaper, in which he questioned the ability of modern-day Jews to follow Torah mitzvahs in today's turbulent world. He made it clear that he felt the commandments Hashem gave to Moses and the Jewish people are simply too difficult, challenging and unrealistic for "modern" human beings to follow. He was arguing that people simply do not possess the capacity to follow 10 commandments, let alone 613. His letter made me realize that he obviously had never been to a Chabad House, that he had never sat down at a Shabbos table faintly illuminated by the ambient glow of burning candles, and that he had most definitely never seen three inspirational members of the Reno Jewish community, who because of their parents and wonderful teachers, demonstrate daily just how easily one can make Hashem's Commandments part of one's daily life.

The Cunin triplets serve as inspiration for our entire community. As I watched them at the Seder I asked myself, if three four year olds can learn to honor
Shabbat, eat Kosher food, say Kiddush, light Shabbos candles, celebrate Yom Tovs (holidays) wear tzitzit and a kippa and bench after meals, why is it so difficult for an adult to do so as well. If a four year old can see Hashem's wondrous hand in the world around them, why can't we? If a four year old can proudly jump up on their chair and belt out the Four Questions, why are we so frightened to let a boss know that we need several days off to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Shavuous or Succoth? The truth is, a child rarely is embarrassed to try something new, listen to their parents or that little special voice inside their heads that begs them to do the right thing. It's only as adults that we stop listening to that little voice, our mentors, our parents and our families. We don't want to be embarrassed or admit our ignorance about subjects of which we are unfamiliar. Sometimes it takes a little inspiration to capture our attention, motivate us and refocus our efforts in the right direction.

As I said before, inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes we can be inspired by the glories of nature. Sometimes by inspirational community leaders and sometimes by three small members of our community who live, breathe and sing the joys of their heritage. Over the course of the 90's, millions of people around the world watched Michael Jordan perform on the basketball court. Nike commercials proclaimed that everyone wanted to be "Just like Mike." I have to admit there were times when I too wanted to be just like Mike as well. But with all due respect to Mr. Jordan and the people at Nike, after spending time with, and watching the Cunin triplets this past Pesach, I think I'd like to be more like Moshe, Chana and Rochel!