Cantor’s Notes

CANTOR’S NOTES Cantor Stoehr (A variation of a joke I recall in a sermon I read.) A guy is walking through the country when he spots a sign that reads, “Talking Horse for Sale.” Intrigued, he walks up to the stable to check it out. “So what have you done with your life?” he asks the horse. “I’ve led a full life,” the horse answers miraculously. “I was born in The Andes where I did hard labor for an entire village. Years later, I joined the mounted police force in Canada. I lived in Kentucky and actually won the Derby. And now, I spend my days giving free rides to underprivileged kids here in the country.” The guy is flabbergasted. He asks the horse’s owner, “Why on earth would you want to get rid of such an incredible animal?” The owner answered, "Because he's a liar, he's never even been to Kentucky!" Sometimes we fail to appreciate the blessings and miracles that are right in front of us. It's been one year since the COVID epidemic startled our world and shook our lives. As Passover is coming at the end of the month, which is replete with stories of miracles of our history, we have to pause and appreciate the miracles in our lives, even through this yet present modern plague. Something obvious, and yet maybe overlooked, is the worldwide collaboration and scientific advancements that have and will continue to save lives. In years to come this virus, please God, will be another of the conquered ills which have existed in the last 100 years. This miracle, whose magnitude will likely be minimized by future generations, is one about which we should, maybe, have a Seder to celebrate when it is all over. (Some places in the world have, in fact, created Purim celebrations to recount rescue from natural disasters). As Motel exclaims in Miracle of Miracles in the play Fiddler on the Roof, “That was a miracle too”. Unlike the horse owner, we have to be alert to the miracles in each day of our lives and give thanks to God for each one, large and small and make the most of our blessings.

Rabbi Melman’s Minutes (continued from Page 1) 4. Assign different passages to guests in advance or pose questions in advance. If we can think about different questions beforehand it will make the seder that much more significant. 5. Discuss other stories of slavery and freedom. 6. Have fun. The seder is an opportunity to sing and explore, to open the door at two different times which allows for the participation of all ages. I hope that we will all be able to find the joy at this season of our liberation.