So much has changed in what is taught to youth today. So often domestic skills such as cooking and sewing are overlooked. Many view these skills in a negative way, often saying that they are demeaning. Sadly, much has been lost in our throw-away society and acute gender identification. The question of the ethical and spiritual lessons that were learned are never addressed.
An old grandmother, Bubbie Feiga, taught her grand-daughter, Sarah Rachel, how to patch a worn garment. At the same time, she taught her beloved grand-daughter a lesson in mussar (religious values).
“One should not be ashamed to wear patched clothes,” Bubbie Feiga explained. “On the contrary, one should feel good about it. Do you know why? Because Hashem (G-d) gives us everything we have. But all these wonderful things are not presents forever. No! He entrusts them to us for safekeeping only. At any moment, without warning, He may take them all back. So it’s a shame, even a sin, to show neglect for anything Hashem Himself entrusts to us. A patch, Sarah Rachel, not only prolongs the life of a garment, but the patching demonstrates how much we appreciate everything that the Holy One, blessed be He entrusts to our keeping!”
Few people today wear patches on their garments. Patches have largely disappeared in our wealthy society. Bubbie Feiga’s lesson still applies. G-d gives us everything we have. Every object that comes into our possession is a gift from G-d and should be treated with reverence. The mystics teach that a spark of divinity is in each thing in the world, and therefore every object, every possession, should be properly honored. By prematurely discarding an old item to replace it with a new one, we show disrespect for the holy spark that resides in that object. How long should we keep a garment or other item? Each of us should decide with wisdom; there is no rule. The only rule — which we can learn from Bubbie Feiga—is to show proper care and respect for your possessions.
Years went by and Sarah Rachel went off to college. She missed her Bubbie Feiga, who was now very old. Sarah became very active in the Jewish group at her college and one Friday night she went with some friends to a rabbi’s house for a Shabbos (Sabbath) meal.
The rabbi was a bit old fashioned, and at first Sarah felt very uncomfortable. After the fish and soup were served. The rabbi began telling stories. Sarah thought, “We’re not children. Why is he telling us stories? We are college students and the stories are not appropriate for college students.”
After one particular story, there was a lively discussion around the table. Everyone heard the same story, but there were so many opinions as to the meanings of the story.
The rabbi sat back and listened to the young voices around the table for a long time and then asked, “we learn in the TaNaCH (Torah, Nevi’im, Kasuvim – Scriptures) that ‘Hashem blessed them, and He said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ (Genesis 1:28) and he continued, ‘You have given them dominion over the works of your hands’ (Psalm 8:6) and added that the Torah says, ‘Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because G-d has dealt graciously with me’ (Genesis 33:11) and ended with, ‘But above all bless your Maker, who fills you with his good gifts.’ (ben Sira (Sirach) 32:13). The rabbi took a long breath and asked what do all these verses have in common.
The college students around the table rose to the challenge and offered a lot of opinions and ideas, but the rabbi sadly shook his head. “You are all over thinking”, he said.
Sarah sat and listened and a tear formed and rolled down her cheek. As the room fell quiet, she said, “My Bubbie Feiga taught me a long time ago that everything that comes into our possession is a gift from G-d and should be treated special. She taught me that a spark of holiness is in each thing in the world, for that reason should be treated with respect.”
One of the young men, retorted, “You really believe in this G-d stuff?” Sarah answered, “You really don’t understand do you?” “Aw come on how can you believe in these stories. All this religious stuff is mythology,” the young man countered.
Sarah took a deep breath and said, “We talk about diminishing resources, environmental issues, growing pollution and non-renewable resources, but the Torah clearly teaches that we are the stewards of everything in creation. When things are destroyed, who will repair it?”
The young man responded, “Science will find the answers.” Sarah immediately answered, “Very well science has told us what the foundation of life is, so take four test tubes each filled with each of the elements of life, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and have the scientist make life.” They can’t only G-d can do that!”
Sarah Rachel spoke to the rabbi several times and visited him during Jewish holidays. One day she came to the rabbi with tears in her eyes, Bubbie Feiga died. “Rabbi” she began, “the stories you told me over the years helped me to understand my Bubbie Feiga and helped me to appreciate and grow in my beliefs. In honor of my Bubbie Feiga please call me Sora Rochel”
Many years have passed, and Sora Rochel teaches her daughter about patches.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)