The Ultimate Driver
My son is obsessed with trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, and anything else that moves. What do I expect, he’s a two year old boy! Not only do these large moving objects interest him, but also the drivers, pilots and captains. Whenever he plays with his fisher price toy school bus he has to make sure there is a proper driver in driver’s seat. Recently, while traveling back from a trip to the West coast, my son was allowed to walk into the cockpit of the airplane when we were boarding. He met the pilot and co-pilot and he saw all the buttons. This made a big impression on him. He truly sees these individuals as very important people- they drive a plane!
I also like to be the driver and feel important when in this position. Rather then being a passenger, when I’m the driver I am in control. But, I’m not just talking about when I drive myself and my son around in the car to various shopping and activities. In life we all try to be the driver. We want control, we want to feel like everything that happens to us is by our own choosing. . In reality, there is only One driver in this world- G-d. During Rosh Hashana we aren’t just celebrating the Jewish new year, we are celebrating this world and the life we have been given, and we are crowning our King, the true driver in our lives.
I hope to show my son, by my words and living examples, that in actuality Hashem is our driver and we are along for the ride. Yes, we do our hishtadlus, our part, and we do have free will. But ultimately everything we have comes from above and we cannot pretend that our actions bring the final outcomes. Just recently my husband and I were discussing how we really could use a little extra parnassah, financial means. Without even trying I was contacted to start a new project- one with great pay and very flexible hours. Yes, I believe I am good at what I do and that the professional connections I have made were involved. But, this job really fell out of the sky (no pun intended!).
On Naaleh.com, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses how to make Rosh Hashana and the rest of the High Holidays meaningful for our children. Rebbetzin Heller talks about how ultimately we teach our children about Rosh Hashana though example. We try to improve ourselves during the month of Elul, and we ask our children for mechila, forgiveness, for anything we may have done to hurt them this past year. Rebbetzin Heller also suggests telling stories to our children which exemplify how Hashem is our King. We aim to teach them to think of Hashem in terms of, “wherever you take me, I will go”. This relates back to the idea of the driver. Wherever Hashem is going, we are along for the ride.
Check out the shiur:
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and sweet new year. May this coming year bring us all many blessings.
