TRUE COLORS

Print-friendly version

TRUE COLORS

Harav Y. Reuven Rubin Shlita

Amongst the many tricks of the writing trade, one of the most vital is the ability to underline words on your page so as to enable you to come back to certain phrases that may need fine-tuning whilst finishing a particular piece of work. All this is just a small part of what is called editing, and without it, no article would ever make sense. Personally, In my case, each column I write goes through at least two stages of editing before the final copy. Each brings the gift of another set of deft eyes that can pick up any small mistakes or question phraseology. As we are living in a world of computers all this is done on-screen with each draft being returned for further fine-tuning. (Long gone are the days when I would fax thirteen pages of a handwritten manuscript on a Wednesday morning to deluged editors) This may sound cumbersome but actually, I find the process exciting, bringing fresh eyes to my thoughts as they grow organically on the page, adds clarity. One of the tools used in the process is highlighting, wherein the editors mark the word or phrase that needs attention with the use of bright red ink. Personally, I never use this method for reasons you will soon understand, but I find that when the editor adds a bit of color to the work in progress, it jolts my thinking as I try to correct things accordingly.

Last week I had a particular piece that needed several different changes, and being confined to my bed with covid and without the use of my regular computer, I bravely delved into the world of highlighting in red for the very first time. I quickly found myself enjoying this new artistic license, creating a tapestry of bright points that were meant for the paper’s editors to change in the final manuscript. I was quite proud about my newfound talent of wheeling the red pen and figured that the folk at the Tribune would be over the moon with the ease in which my work will now be readied for the finale print. With great anticipation I sent the draft over and sat, phone in hand waiting. Soon the phone call arrived and I took the call with no small sense of pride. “Rabbi,” said the voice at the other end of the line, “we received your highlighted page, but I have one important question before we can go on with the final copy. You have sent five different highlighted indices, but each one is in a different color. You have lime green, yellow, magenta, what is the code behind each color change? Am I missing something here?” I stopped for a second, wondering what she was getting at, after all, all my highlighting was in red, then the penny dropped, of course, I thought they were all in red, but obviously, I had sent each change in a different hue. You see, I am color blind, and all those colors in the palette of the editing tool, are just red to me. Now red is a safe, solid color, and it works just fine most of the time, but that’s when it is used in the hands of someone who sees it for what it is. In my delusional hands, the color red has no limit to variations, and it can quickly cause chaos for others.

In Parshas Yisro we experienced the grandeur and majesty of Kabolus HaTorah. Then comes Parshas Mishpatim, where we learn of the nitty-gritty of Torah life in all its glory.

“And these are the judgments that you shall place before them:”

Tzadikim explain that a Yied must always focus and judge if their actions are in keeping with the Will of the Eibishter. With every step through life, you should measure if what you are doing is a kiddush Hashem before continuing.

Life is strewn with constant judgements, its all too easy to lose your way. Look for the markers, the highlights, (be they red or not) and resolve to refine the manner in which you move forwards. We are all just human, each etching out a pathway that connects us with Hashem.

The Parsha later states “People of holiness shall you be unto me….” (22:30) Says the Kotzker Rebbe Ztl, Holy you should be, but as people, humans, who are caring and understanding.

I write these words on the anniversary of my chasunah. I was blessed to share fifty-five years with my Rebbetzin Chaiky A’H, and throughout all those years, she worked on the midah of being a caring friend to whomever she came across. She was ardently holy in a human way.

Our path through life took us to diverse communities on three continents. This Gerrer chasidista found herself surrounded by divergent circles. Washington DC and the White House, Flatbush Boro Park, and all sorts of stops in between. Then we were off to Eretz Yisroel, in Chatzor Hagalilit, where again, she became a beacon of strength and caring to all. Before long Manchester beckoned, and it was there where this Lakewood girl shared pastries with Prince Charles, joined her Majesty The Queen at the royal garden party, and at the same time taught keep fit to hundreds of Yiddisha Vieber. All this was done as a true creator of Kiddush Hashem, with eidelkiet and kindness.

So, my latest article came in some strange colors, much like all our lives. The Rebbetzin AH helped me clear the mistakes and fix the rough points. It’s been two years since her Petira, and I still feel the loss daily. That too is a blessing, true bonding means it never really ends. May we all see strength from one another, and strive to be holy in this most difficult golus. Amein!