Page 50 - issue
P. 50
A Breath of LifeThe Question to Answer for Another Year of Life
LBased on a lecture me into the water.” Complying with the But then he felt a release of pressure. The
instructions, the boy followed along. trainer had let go.
by Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein Moving further and further into the wa-
iving in Los Angeles today is one ter, the guru kept on walking. By now, Pushing up with his last ounce of
of the most sought-after person- the water had reached near their necks. strength, the boy gasped for air like never
al trainers for professional sport As the boy began wondering what exact- before. Spending several seconds regain-
athletes. Known to have coached ly the trainer had in mind, he was told ing his composure, the boy then looked
many of the biggest superstars in to stop moving. They were now situated at the trainer with a stare of disbelief. “Are
football and basketball, he has a quite far from the shore. The trainer then you out of your mind? What are you try-
standing reputation as someone turned to the boy and said, “Okay, now I ing to do to me? I couldn’t breathe!”
who makes champions. Since he want you to put your head underwater
and hold your breath for as long as you “Lesson over,” said the trainer.
charges thousands of dollars per lesson can.” Standing there dumbstruck, the
and coaches only a few clients per year, boy wondered if this trainer was in-
only those athletes possessing the will Listening to the trainer, the boy low- sane. “What do you mean?” he asked.
and ambition to make it to the top seek ered his body and head underwater and The trainer looked backed at the boy.
him out. began holding his breath. 5 seconds, “When you want to win as much as you
10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds… just wanted to breathe, then you will
A while ago, this personal trainer was 30…40… 45… Suddenly and unex- become a champion. Until then, it’s a
approached by a college football player pectedly, the trainer placed his hands on waste of time. Only when your desire to
straight out of school. He had set his the boy’s head. Unsure what was going win means life or death for you, will you
sights on entering the NFL and becom- on, the boy tried lifting his head up, but become one of my students and develop
ing the best of athletes. In order to prove he couldn’t move. The guru was firmly into a superstar. But until then, I have
that he had what it took to make it to the holding him down. nothing to teach you.” And with that, the
top, the boy was told to meet the trainer trainer walked away.
at Malibu beach one morning in his bath- Having not breathed for quite a while, The same is true of Yiddishkeit. While
ing suit. Although curious about why the boy started thrashing and convulsing life is not about becoming a “champion,”
such instructions were given, the boy did in a frantic attempt to take a breath. But and most people would strongly object
not question the trainer. He was not the the trainer was too strong and well-po- to this trainer’s extreme methods, he
best coach around for no reason, after all. sitioned for any of the boy’s efforts to did hone in on one true life principle as
accomplish anything. By now, the boy it relates to Torah. When the center of
Arriving at the beach, the boy met the was nearly about to faint. With his face your world is Hashem and His Torah,
trainer. “Are you ready?” asked the guru. purple and having been under water well you will be able to achieve the greatness
beyond what he could handle, he was on the Torah has in store for you. Only when
“Yes, sir,” replied the boy. “What the verge of drowning and conking out. you need Torah as much as you need to
would you like me to do? You want me to
sprint as quickly as I can?”
“No,” said the trainer. “Just come with
42 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
LBased on a lecture me into the water.” Complying with the But then he felt a release of pressure. The
instructions, the boy followed along. trainer had let go.
by Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein Moving further and further into the wa-
iving in Los Angeles today is one ter, the guru kept on walking. By now, Pushing up with his last ounce of
of the most sought-after person- the water had reached near their necks. strength, the boy gasped for air like never
al trainers for professional sport As the boy began wondering what exact- before. Spending several seconds regain-
athletes. Known to have coached ly the trainer had in mind, he was told ing his composure, the boy then looked
many of the biggest superstars in to stop moving. They were now situated at the trainer with a stare of disbelief. “Are
football and basketball, he has a quite far from the shore. The trainer then you out of your mind? What are you try-
standing reputation as someone turned to the boy and said, “Okay, now I ing to do to me? I couldn’t breathe!”
who makes champions. Since he want you to put your head underwater
and hold your breath for as long as you “Lesson over,” said the trainer.
charges thousands of dollars per lesson can.” Standing there dumbstruck, the
and coaches only a few clients per year, boy wondered if this trainer was in-
only those athletes possessing the will Listening to the trainer, the boy low- sane. “What do you mean?” he asked.
and ambition to make it to the top seek ered his body and head underwater and The trainer looked backed at the boy.
him out. began holding his breath. 5 seconds, “When you want to win as much as you
10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds… just wanted to breathe, then you will
A while ago, this personal trainer was 30…40… 45… Suddenly and unex- become a champion. Until then, it’s a
approached by a college football player pectedly, the trainer placed his hands on waste of time. Only when your desire to
straight out of school. He had set his the boy’s head. Unsure what was going win means life or death for you, will you
sights on entering the NFL and becom- on, the boy tried lifting his head up, but become one of my students and develop
ing the best of athletes. In order to prove he couldn’t move. The guru was firmly into a superstar. But until then, I have
that he had what it took to make it to the holding him down. nothing to teach you.” And with that, the
top, the boy was told to meet the trainer trainer walked away.
at Malibu beach one morning in his bath- Having not breathed for quite a while, The same is true of Yiddishkeit. While
ing suit. Although curious about why the boy started thrashing and convulsing life is not about becoming a “champion,”
such instructions were given, the boy did in a frantic attempt to take a breath. But and most people would strongly object
not question the trainer. He was not the the trainer was too strong and well-po- to this trainer’s extreme methods, he
best coach around for no reason, after all. sitioned for any of the boy’s efforts to did hone in on one true life principle as
accomplish anything. By now, the boy it relates to Torah. When the center of
Arriving at the beach, the boy met the was nearly about to faint. With his face your world is Hashem and His Torah,
trainer. “Are you ready?” asked the guru. purple and having been under water well you will be able to achieve the greatness
beyond what he could handle, he was on the Torah has in store for you. Only when
“Yes, sir,” replied the boy. “What the verge of drowning and conking out. you need Torah as much as you need to
would you like me to do? You want me to
sprint as quickly as I can?”
“No,” said the trainer. “Just come with
42 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
