by Jake Koval
If G-d is everywhere, why do so many people not find him?
Perhaps they're not looking hard enough?
Or, try this one on for size, perhaps they're looking too hard!
In the Shema we talk about finding G-d's presence everywhere, "at home, on the road, when you lie down and when you arise." He's not just at shul and He makes his presence known with little divine post-it notes as well.
This week I got a glimpse into this Jewish truism. Several times a year I fly to Las Vegas - not exactly a place that too many people bring Him along "on the road." At this bi-annual trade show, thousands of people decend upon Sin City to buy, sell and barter closeouts for the weekend. What always amazes me is how so many Jews end up celebrating Shabbat with us in this G-dless town. With about 300 people joining us for morning davening (prayer) services at our makeshift shul in the conference room of the Venetian Hotel on Shabbos, and 100 each on Friday and Sunday, many people streamed in over the weekend: some to nosh and schmooze, some just to take in the scene, and many to pray (often borrowing a Yarmulka - some of them even shared my Tallis and Tefillin for a quick wrap)! The importance and meaning of these rituals seemed magnified here, and deepened my appreciation for what I often take for granted.
On Monday night I flew back to Cleveland, arriving in Hopkins airport at 11:30 pm, caught the Park 'n Fly shuttle to my car and drove home, ready to fall into bed by 1:00 am.
"Hey, where is my wheelie suitcase, the one with my Tallis and Tefillin?" I panicked out loud. I realized I must have left it on the airport shuttle. I called up the shuttle service, they radioed the driver but said that he found nothing.
Could I have left it in Vegas? I wondered. Lord knows they don't need 'em there. (Just kidding.) No, it's probably somewhere in the Hopkins area. It's late. File the claim tomorrow, a little voice inside me said.
No, wait a minute, my Tallis and Tefillin are in there. I have to go and look for them.
So, I called back the dispatcher, told her that this suitcase contained "precious religious articles" and that they had a half-hour to find it, and at 1:00 my devoted wife joined me for a field trip to Hopkins airport. Lo and behold, by the time we got there my suitcase had been located. We broke out a fresh bottle of ice water for a nocturnal celebration, the first of its kind at the Park 'n Fly lot! Was this some kind of divine test for me? Perhaps testing my patience? My commitment to this mitzvah? Possibly both?! At the very least it was quite the reminder just how meaningful these "religious articles" are for me and my family. After all, I can't think of too many other things which would have pulled me back to the airport under those circumstances. Hopefully, I'll remember this lesson the next time I wrap my Tefillin.
One for the road, I guess!
