By the Grace of G‑d

A thought for Match Day ~ 5784

Dear graduates,

Tamar and I eagerly await along with you for truly great and uplifting news.

We hope that each and every one of you matches into a program where are respected by all those around you, and which will bring out the very best in you.

As you wait to read the contents of your envelope, take a step back and ask yourself, with all of the eagerness, excitement, nervousness, towards the content of that envelope - is that what you really want?

(Note: I'm not asking you to second guess your ranking list! :)

The question is this: are you looking for a specific match, or is that a framework for what you truly want - a springboard to becoming the best doctor you can be?

In fact, let's go farther. Is it that you're looking for a springboard, a training location, or do you truly want something beyond that - the opportunity to be a healer?

Let's take it a step further. Is it that you want to be a healer, or do you want people to be healthy and comfortable?

Imagine instead of the desired result in the envelope, you were handed the composition of a pill that would cure your targeted illness, provide for your family, bypassing the need for the medical process?

While this question is entirely hypothetical, (it's highly unlikely that Einstein could provide such monumental, earth-shattering news twice in as many weeks) it's an important vision and perspective to have.

Our lives are made up of two distinct paradigms.

Inside, we have our true ideals values and goals. On the outside are all of the investments of time, effort, and passion.

In this week's Torah portion we learn about two distinct garments of the high priest.

One of them was a jewel-encrusted blessed plate worn on his heart. This represents our inner values and ideals.

Behind him, draped over the lower posterior of his body was an apron.

This represents the external investment of our time and effort. The things we do, the elements that concern us, make us happy or sad, and the day-to-day objectives we set for ourselves.

The Torah gives an instruction when it describes these two garments: the breastplate may never be detached from the apron, even for a moment.

As you stand here today all of your skills, all of your joy, all of your anticipation, are directly in line, a tool of, and an expression of, your inner values and goals.

Hold on to this feeling.

While Tamar and I hope that today you receive the best possible news, we wish you much more than that.

We hope that in every part of your lives, the time, effort, and passion that you invest will always be directly inline with, an expression of, and a tool for, the things in your life that truly define who and what you are.

Good luck!!

Warmly,

Rabbi Zalman and Tamar Teitelbaum

PS We are certain that you have plans to celebrate tonight with family and friends. Please plan to start the celebrations at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby so that we can all take a moment to appreciate this day together