“You can't teach an old dog new tricks” was from the first comments I heard after settling in to launch Chabad of Olney. ‘My Jewish experience is what it is, I’m set in my ways - why waste your time trying to enrich the Jewish experience in our town?’
One of the greatest impediments to character development or spiritual growth is the feeling that 'I am who I am'. Children, we tell ourselves, can be guided to change and improve. Adults are ‘finished products’.
All the more so, if a white hair or wrinkle made its appearance… oy vey! It must be time to settle down, come to terms with our life’s trajectory, embrace it or justify it.
Abraham and Sarah, our Zaidy and Bubby (grandparents), showed us otherwise. At 75 and 65, respectively, they were a successful power-couple and had an accomplished and impressive career. They built up their personal wealth, cultivated a following of Monotheism to the tune of tens of thousands and were quite popular.
They had a great case to settle down, buy a beachfront property and spend the rest of their days in leisure.
But that’s when their life's work and accomplishments truly got started. The Torah’s narrative of the Patriarch and Matriarch of our people begins at this advanced stage in their life: ‘Lech Lecha’, our Torah portion begins, leave your entire family and life behind, and go to a new land. Your most accomplishing and rewarding years are yet to come!
To paraphrase Ronald Reagan: Don’t exploit the youth and inexperience of those around you.
Like Abraham and Sarah, we must remain ambitious. Challenge yourself to Take on new Mitzvahs, Master a new Jewish topic, and introduce new family traditions.
Youth is not in your hair color. It’s in your mind.