“Honor your father and your mother…” Exodus 20:12, A Fine Balancing Act Using Lift Cranes

כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ

“Honor your father and your mother, in order that your days be lengthened on the land that the Lord, your God, is giving you.” Exodus 20: 12

For many of us, the social distancing restrictions mean we cannot be physically close to the people we are commanded to honor and especially in their old age, care for: our parents and grandparents.

So many parents and grandparents have not seen a loved one in many weeks. The loneliness weakening them, the guilt and longing eating away at their relatives.

This time requires many fine balancing acts, much like the challenge of the Fiddle on the Roof: how can we make beautiful music while not breaking our necks… and this task is no exception.

How can we balance between keeping the health restrictions on the one hand, while on the other, honor our parents and the elderly?

This fine balancing act was creatively addressed last week as we deployed lift cranes to enable husbands, wives, sons, daughters and grandchildren, to visit the Amigour homes of their loved ones from which they have been separated for well over a month.

View the emotional video telling these deeply moving stories:

Don’t know about you, but I cried…

As Rebbe Tevya famously reflects on the Fiddler on the Roof, may we succeed in this fine balancing act and go back to make beautiful life music.

Shalom,

Danielle