Why cant u RSVP? It was Sunday, Lag BaOmer, and the day of our rooftop barbecue for the young professionals in our community. Our guests of honor were the 10 severely wounded IDF soldiers we were hosting as part of our annual Belev Echad program. Everything was ready. Wed received permissions from the city to light the bonfire on the rooftop overlooking Manhattan, the caterer had been hired, food bought and thousands of dollars spent. But although wed advertised the event for months, 24 hours before the event we only had 30 reservations! Nevertheless, when the caterer called me for a final number, I told him to prepare food for 150, because I know often people reserve at the last minute. And I was right. Starting Sunday morning, 12 hours before the event, the reservations began to pour in by the minute. The numbers quickly rose...50...100...150...200... The caterer came and began to set up and I told him, I think we need more food... Fortunately, he was willing and able to be flexible and resourceful at the last minute and get the food we needed. Two hours before the event the reservations continued to pour in...200...250...300...350...400! I expected last minute, but this was overdoing it! We ended up with 400 people, 90% of whom reserved less than 12 hours before the event. And I found myself thinking, Why on earth would so many people do that?! In fact, Id say this is one of the most stressful aspects of running a Chabad house (or any event, as any party planner will tell you). People simply dont RSVP. So I went over and asked my friend Sarah*, When did you book? At 4pm today, just two hours before the event, she answered. Do you realize this is a major event? I asked. Of course! Thats why I came! Do you realize it takes months of preparation to pull off an event of this magnitude? Yes! Thank you so much. Its wonderful, Im having a fabulous time, she reassured me. Did you see how many Facebook messages and emails I sent asking people to register for the event? I continued. Yes, thats why I came! she said again. So why on earth did you wait till the very last minute to reserve?! And finally I got my answer. Well, I figured Im only one person, she explained. What difference would it make to you if I reserve at the last minute, as long as everyone else reserves in a timely fashion. Whats the big deal? I thought about it, and its true. We often dont RSVP to events and parties, not because we want to cause our hosts anguish, but because we simply dont realize they are waiting for our answer. We see ourselves as a single individual, but we dont realize everyone else is thinking the same way! I myself have RSVPd to events at the last minute for the very same reason. ---------------- In a few days time well be celebrating the holiday of Shavuot when we read the 10 commandments. The first one reads, I am the L-rd your G-d who took you out of Egypt. Interestingly, the verse reads your G-d in the singular (Elokecha), rather than in the plural (Elokechem), which would have made more sense grammatically. This word choice teaches us that every single Jew counts. Every individual has a direct connection with G-d. We all count. We each have a unique mission to fulfill, and we each contribute to the overall goal - making this world a dwelling place for G-d. Lets not think that our RSVP doesnt count, or that we cant make a difference. Every single act that every single person does, is relevant and important for the running of the world and the wellbeing of the entire Jewish nation. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Uriel Vigler
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 23:53:16 +0000
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