I was wondering what I would post today.   I thought I would mention my wonderful cousins, Roger and Lee (A’H), who made many of my days wonderful. Between games, music, walking, sloshing in the water, their memories are always a blessing to me.  I thought about mentioning my brother (Neil) and parents. I thought about my children and grandchild (Shosh, Shira, Dan, Matt, and ER).  There is not a day on this earth that I am not proud, honored, and amazed at the actions of my children.

But, then I got some junk mail and I knew what I would write about.

Since I was a young boy, I loved this one song (a ditty, really)- Im Eyn Ani Li, Mi Li…  It is from Pirke Avot, the Ethics of our Fathers, a tractate in the mishna.  Rav Hillel, one of the most esteemed of our leaders, coined this phrase.  (He is also the one who- when a ruler demanded he be told the essence of Judaism while standing on one foot- rejoindered, “Love your neighbor as yourself… all the rest is commentary”.

This sentence has been one of the key phrases of my life…

If I am not for myself, then who will be?

If I am only for myself, that what am I?

And, if not now, when?

The junk mail- from H&M.  You know, the company that sells reasonably priced clothes.  The one that was intimately involved (as were WalMart, Kmart, Nike, etc.) with producing their items in Bangladesh.  The first one to recognize that working conditions needed to be changed- and, instead of lip service to the notion, demanded and received those changes for its contractors.

They are now selling a woman’s tank top with the last line of the ditty plastered on the front.   And, they are cheap- $ 9.95 each.  (No, I am not making any money off this post- or any of my posts, for that matter.)   And, they can’t keep them in stock.

I am thrilled because this is a key phrase we all need to follow.  While the rest of the sentence is omitted, maybe some will be enticed to examine its origins.   Because, it covers so much of our lives.  We need to take issues to the fore- but remember that there are others whose considerations must also be included.   And, there is no time like now to get things done.  This is the essence of my being- to make this world a better place, each and every day.

So, on my birthday, I share my philosophy with you…

Be for yourself, but not only for yourself.  And, get things done- now.  No excuses.