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Home
and Family
We welcome a young newcomer to our ranks, 17
years old, and, in her words which we heartily
endorse, "an aspiring writer." We find her piece, a
parable in any case, very appropriate to the pre-
Pesach challenges and offer her full encouragement
to keep on
Climbing...
by Adiella Steinhauer, Johannesburg
You are well aware that there is no way around it,
as it looms before you very sturdily. The way over
it seems protracted, arduous -perhaps even tortuous
at times. The choice, however, is yours. You are
welcome to remain where you are, overshadowed by
its hulking dimensions, and to not go further. You
have an equal right, though, to clamber up the
steep path that leads towards its summit, where
your view is bound to be vastly enhanced and your
existence more meaningful.
Consequently, despite the fact that it is
the more demanding option to undertake, you resolve
yourself to tackling the rocky incline that rises
before you. And so, surveying your equipment, you
offer up a silent prayer for guidance and a
successful expedition. Then, mustering your
resources, you tentatively commence your journey
with a small step forward, thus cementing your
choice. Now that you are on the path, you know you
can't allow yourself to turn back.
Nevertheless, upon scanning the spot where you
stood a short while ago from this higher point of
vantage, you feel a pang for the ease it offered as
opposed to the path you have chosen. But being
determined to remain firm in your decision,
regardless, you turn to progress up the stone-
strewn hillside.
Yes, the journey is rigorous sometimes more taxing
that you ever anticipated. Often, you rush ahead
too swiftly, and then you are forced, tottering, to
retrace your steps to firmer ground. Many a time,
you must invest tremendous willpower to keep
climbing, frequently you discover reserves of
equipment or of strength that you had overlooked in
the past.
And each time you attain a new plateau, vanquish a
new peak, you give thanks to Him Above for
directing you along your way. You take but a moment
to recoup your strength and survey your
surroundings, and then strike out on the trail
leading higher, upwards, in an aspiration to reach
ever-greater altitudes.
Because the higher you climb, the closer to Heaven
you are advancing.
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