The Gift Of Choice

Our ability we have to exercise free choice is one of the great features of our humanity.

As Victor Frankal put it, “Between the stimulus and response, there is a space. Within this space, we have the ability to choose our response. It is in this response that we find our growth and freedom."

Yes, there can be powerful forces or people who try to manipulate others to behave in a certain manner.

In today's social media age there could be hashtags, which trigger global movements.

However, we must never forget that, despite these forces, we retain control at all times.

When G-d created the universe, it was an imperfect world. He did it because he invited humankind to become his partners in creation.

In His goodness, God bestowed a most generous gift on His people.

In life we don’t own anything until we earn it. And we gain something only if we must go through the exhausting process of exercising free choice.

No one should claim victimhood,  not even by the forces of nature or events.

As Jews, we have that extra responsibility to provide that moral guidance to the world, by making the right choices.

This is our utmost privilege and responsibility.

This is G-d's way of asking us to be his partners in creation.

And who doesn’t want to be a partner.