From the Rabbi

This past week a very famous couple got engaged to be married. No, I am not referring to my dear friends Alex and Wendy, but rather to Travis Kelce, one of the NFL’s most talented tight ends of all time from the despised Chiefs to Taylor Swift, who the kids say is the most famous singer in the world. Apparently, a few years ago Kelce was hoping to meet Swift before or after her concert, and he wrote his phone number on a friendship bracelet, hoping to give it to her. While I do not know what a friendship bracelet is, apparently these are commonly worn and exchanged at her concerts. As fate had it, she was unable to meet him that evening.

Then, later he described this episode on his podcast, likely hoping she would hear about it. She did hear about it, and two years later, they are engaged. 

While I admittedly do not like giving credit to anyone from the Kansas City Chiefs, let alone Travis Kelce, I believe there is an important lesson to be learned here, that can be applied to our avodas Hashem– our service of G-d, and the month of Elul in which we now find ourselves. Wayne Gretzky (or perhaps Michael Scott) was attributed with saying, “You miss all the shots you don’t take.” Kelce knew it would be unlikely that his bracelet would find its way to Taylor Swift, or that the message from his podcast would reach her– but he tried nonetheless, and as a result he was led to his future wife. 

How many times in life do we have big aspirations, but we neglect to even bother trying to achieve them because we think it is beyond us? Our evil inclinations whisper to us that the task is too great for us, we cannot achieve our goal– so why bother even trying? How many opportunities in life do we punt on because we think we simply are incapable? How often do we make lofty goals on Rosh Hashana or Elul, quickly to abandon them because they seem beyond the scope of what we are able to achieve?

Recently, to my great dismay, horror and devastation, Krispy Kreme ceased to be Kosher in Denver. Realizing that I speak to G-d- the CEO of the Universe–  every single day, multiple times a day when I pray, I may as well reach out to the CEO of Krispy Kreme as well. And while Joshua Charlesworth has not yet responded to my inquiry, it was obvious to me that it was worth trying to connect to him. I might, or might not be successful, but I must at least put forth my best effort. 

Our tradition teaches that every Jew is a chelek Elokei m’maal. We are all human beings imbued with a Divine, G-dly Eternal soul. That means that we are bursting with potential. That means that we are not allowed to settle for less than the greatness that we are destined to achieve. How devastating would it be to squander our potential.

Right now, in Elul, the possibilities are endless. Hashem is so accessible in these moments. Let us cherish this time we are in, shoot for the stars, and uncover the illuminating brilliance that shines within us.