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May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 21, 2006
/ 30 Kislev 5767
This Jew's favorite Christmas movie
By
Rosally Saltsman
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
One Christmas movie stands out as a classic of all time and its message is in many ways … Jewish.
It's a Wonderful Life, the brainchild of Frank Capra, the granddaddy of feel good movies, is a holiday tradition in and of itself.
For those who have yet to see it, the premise is very simple; a man dreams of doing great things and changing the world and ends up spending his life in the same small town, working in the same small office, struggling with what he deems an unremarkable life haunted by his unrealized aspirations.
The movie's arch villain, Mr. Potter (no relation to Harry) surreptitiously pilfers his funds and so in a moment of despair and hopelessness he is about to put an end to his life. And then, the miracle happens, an angel appears and shows him what the world would have been like had he never been born. Well, it's a mess. Many are miserable, dozens are dead and everyone's worse off. Having witnessed how much he means to the town, and what a truly wonderful life he has had, he asks for a second chance and gets it. He goes home, to yet another miracle, all the town's people contributing money to get him out of trouble because after all, they owe everything to him. Excuse me while I get a tissue. I've seen this movie at least 25 times and I can't watch it without crying, no, sobbing.
The message, in case we've missed it, is transmitted by the angel who says, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
No one can see this movie without wishing that they too had such an impact on the people around them but the happy ending is they do. None of us can see the ramifications of our actions. Like the proverbial stone skipped in a lake, each action we do, each word we say, creates ripples upon and deep beneath the surface of the lives of the people we touch extending far beyond what we can see or imagine.
When all is said and done, it's possible that we may have accomplished more than we ever dreamed possible by doing the best we could in the circumstances we were given. The heroes of the world are not necessarily the rich and famous, the accomplished and "successful".
The heroes of the world are the average people who live their often humdrum lives doing the best they can each with his shining moments. Actually, ironically, if George Bailey, the movie's hero would have gone on to do all that he had dreamed, the town's residents would have been worse off and he wouldn't have accomplished nearly as much.
The wonderful truth about the movie's message is that yes, many of us don't realize our most heartfelt hopes and dreams and life does throw us many curveballs but often it is exactly because of that that we realize our greatest potential and do the most good. Each one of us does a plethora of things that make the world better in a way that only he or she can.
While most of us don't have a guardian angel who comes down to earth when we're in crisis to show us that we really do have a wonderful life, we do have hints here and there. But the appreciation and recognition we get a glimpse of is only a tip of the iceberg. Knowing that is the key to appreciating all we are and all we have done.
I have always wanted to be George Bailey.
Well, I got my wish in part. I struggle with debt and I rarely get to work at what I want, I have a faucet that always comes off in my hand and I have always wanted to visit the Amazon jungle though I doubt I'll get there. But perhaps, I've touched the world in ways I'm not aware of. Perhaps we all have.
When things are hopeless, when we think we can't go on and what does it all mean anyway, we need to remember that G-d runs the world in a way that puts us where we need to be and gives us the situations we need in which to reach our greatest potential and do the most good. And if we only had the same perspective as He does, we'd see that things are working in the best way possible for everyone concerned. We just have to have faith and do the best we can because that's all we can ever dream of doing.
Have a bright and happy Chanukah — and a wonderful life!
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes inspiring articles. Sign up for our daily update. It's free. Just click here.
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JWR contributor Rosally Saltsman has written a novel called Soul Journey. You can see it at her website, here.
© 2006, Rosally Saltsman
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