By bas Yehudis
“We had 450 people at our (insert name of lavish event).”
“(Include name of well-known person) officiated!”
“And we’ve just launched our kick off for (insert smart looking acronym).”
Does that sound like you? If the answer is affirmative, chances are you swim the high seas of ‘Klal Work’. In spite of some begrudging non-farginers –or a jaded commenter on a website or Facebook– you deserve a 450 person applaud.
It’s not easy doing your work. You wear many hats, sometimes 7 simultaneously. You interact with hundreds of people – often on a daily basis. Usually, the stakes are high and nerves are stretched. You continually require the stamina and fortitude of Klal Folk. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you (feel like you) don’t. But you bravely forge forward defying odds, breaking records. You are a hero.
But wait.
There’s a little old lady standing behind you at the bank. Wish her good morning. Not because you aspire to be remembered in her will or because she’s your board member’s spouse but because, by Divine Providence, she has crossed paths with you.
Wait, again.
There’s a teenager in your kitchen. Gasp! Yours! Compliment her on her new shoes and share a joke. She’ll appreciate not being invisible. No one likes being invisible. Especially children.
You might argue about your pressing schedule. You have no time to banter and schmooze. If you don’t raise (insert astronomical number here) in 24-hours, your institution will be seized by the bank. True, you are terrifically pressed for time.
At the same time, the ‘small’ gestures you take will make you richer, better, greater. You are depositing funds into a cosmic bank. It’s a bank where checks can only be cashed in Olam Ha’emes – the World of Truth.
•
“I baked a cake for (insert name of downstairs neighbor).”
“I’m driving (add name of elderly relative) to the drug store.”
“We’re having a welcome Melave Malka for (include name of new family on your block).”
Does that sound like you? If your answer is affirmative, chances are you swim the choppy waters of ‘Prat Work’. And, in spite of the fact that the media outlets didn’t cover your most recent mitzva, and you may perceive yourself as a ‘no name’ doing ‘not much’ you deserve more than a one person applaud.
Your work might initially appear trivial or simple, but it isn’t. These people demand you giving 100% – sometimes on an hourly basis. Often, expectations are unreasonable and nerves are stretched. You continually require the personal touch and unwavering Ahavas Yisrael of ‘Prat Folk’ – the individuals. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you (feel like you) don’t. But you diligently press on defying odds, breaking records. You are a hero.
But wait.
There’s the chairman of your local Jewish organization who could use an attuned person like you on board. Reach out. Plug-in. Not because you expect to be promoted or because you want to be known as a mover and shaker, but because, by Divine Providence, you share a common city.
Wait, again.
There’s a new campaign going on. It requires a diverse team. Mr. or Mrs. Klal Folk require someone exactly like you to help get the job done. If only for a few weeks, don your Klal Cape and step up to the Klal Plate. Chances are you’ll acclimate.
You might argue, upholding your ‘prat’ personality. The fact that you don’t do crowds. Don’t walk that walk, nor talk that talk. The fact that you like to deal with people in a personal manner.
Perhaps true, all that. At the same time, the ‘big’ gestures you take will make you richer, better, greater. You are depositing funds into a cosmic bank. It’s a bank where checks can only be cashed in Olam Ha’emes – the World of Truth.
•
”Every Jew must know that wherever he may be, he is an agent of the Master of All, [charged with the mission of] actualizing G-d’s will and intent in creating the world – to illuminate the world through the light of the Torah and Divine service. This is achieved through the performance of practical Mitzvos and by inculcating [in oneself] positive character traits.”
(Hayom Yom, 7 Adar l)
…and this timeless teaching applies to all folk.
A very well-written article
This really got me thinking… Iy”h this will help me realize it’s not just about the “big screen” and doing the “major things”, but also in every little thing I encounter in life there is so much more we can do to change people’s lives! Thanks! Please right more articles!
You don’t get to do big events for 450 people before you started with 4 or 5 people. Don’t knock success it’s just the big events make it to the papers doesn’t mean these people don’t do the small meaningful every day things.
Well Done! The best I have read in a long time. Thank you for the inspiration.
Everybody knows that the small things we do quietly for others (and ourselves)are the most important and challenging. We don’t have to denigrate the folks doing the big things to make this point. Sounds like an inferiority complex.
The principal where I live is great. But I wish he would care about my son. This is exactly how it is! I’m no big shot, not rich but my son deserves the care and concern like the wealthy..
I’m sure for every big even the klal guy does there are hundreds of small good deeds no one knows about. Please a little trust in humans….
Beautiful and so true. We all need to be. “prat” and “Jlsa” person. Thank you for sharing this. Let’s all make a difference… Every day. Smile, say something kind, we have so many opportunities regularly
My daughter married into a klal family. Overall in the public eye they are an amazing family. Together the schools, mikvahs, parades, events, dinners various members have created. Yet…. When my daughter had an emergency and was sent into the hospital erev Tom tov they were no where to be found. I live a few states away and couldn’t get there in time but these famous Shluchim lived right there. And this scenario has happened more than once. They refuse her help but won’t give theirs either. She only counts when it wouldn’t look appropriate for her to not be… Read more »
Dear comment 7,
Just bec someone serves the klall, doesn’t mean he doesn’t do the prat, but as humans, people who get up there, tend to look down At others, or only treat those who are wealthy or high up there with respect, attention or give in to their demands…. Ie- wealthy choose classes for their kids, Get into seminaries and get a basic hi how are you when passed by or enter a building
Gr8 article!
this is indeed so well written and so enjoyable to read. If you are the author of this and u see this post, I please ask u to continue posting articles such as these or maybe u have a website? Thanks so much for sharing really inspired me
The greatest thing I’ve read in a long time
very nice!
My kids are on Shlichus. They NEVER put anything on COLlive, because they don’t feel it’s necessary. True, they don’t make Gala dinners or have 450 people at an event. They are luck if they get 45. But they ARE making a difference & they are respected (& known) in the entire country, not just by Jews either. Everyone knows “the Rabbi”. We are all on Shlichus. It’s our job to be a dugma chaya & represent the Rebbe in Chabad no matter what we do or where. In the workplace is a good start. My husband works amongst Jews… Read more »
Not sure what the writer is saying , as if the klal guy doesn’t do the small thing as we’ll ?? You don’t become a klal guy before you were a “prat guy”
keep posting!
Inspiring and nicely writtem
luvit!!
so many thoughts so many comments, just one would be sufficient right now ,,,, thank you for saying it, how true but how much more sad,,,
Thank you!
One of the nicest things I have seen on this website. And what a dugma I we have in our Rebbe, who excelled in both the klal and the prat areas–and taught us by example to do the same.