Dear Son,

Today I heard a man talking about being a Shabbos goy.    What is a Shabbos goy, you ask?

A Shabbos goy, Shabbat goy or Shabbes goy (Yiddish: שבת גוי) is a non-Jew who performs certain types of work (melakha) which Jewish religious law (halakha) enjoins the Jew from doing on the Sabbath.

He described his relationship with his next door neighbor, an Orthodox Rabbi, who invites him over to his brownstone on the Sabbath to assist with tasks which require labor or use of modern equipment. For example, the rabbi might ask this man if he is warm, in an attempt to get him to turn on the air conditioning. Or perhaps he might ask if the man is hungry, so he will prepare some food.

It got me thinking;  When is it that I need assistance to do the things I can’t do for myself?  Or when am I called to be of service to others when they need me?  We can’t do the journey alone.   And sometimes other people, with different experiences, may be better equipped to help us achieve certain tasks in life.  Asking for help it a courageous skill.   Many don’t do it until it is too late.   Surround yourself with people who can fill in the gaps of your life when you don’t have the skills or are unable to carry yourself.   In The Big Book of AA, we say; “we will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

Similarly, be of service to others.  This life can be hard and lonely.   Providing the world with our talents is step one, but the we can also seek out others to lend a helping hand.  It might be volunteering in the community, our church, school, hospitals, shelters… or simply to a neighbor or friend in need.  Your Perkins, Foxworthy and Barber families have a tradition of giving back to the community.   There are many people before you who believed that it was our duty to share the burden of our society.   I believe the same.   As a child I volunteered often through Boy Scouts, Church and School.   One day I will share with you the “Pixie Circle” story of the Christmas Dindy had us visit the Cratchits.

Remember, that we are one unified human race.  So regardless of color, culture, religious belief, or nationality, we are all God’s children and part of a human race.   When one suffers, we all suffer.   Look to where you can ease the troubles of your fellow man.  Look to where you can lift him or her up.  Look to where you can fill in the gaps.  Look to where you can be a shabbos goy.  And in return, you will be supported.

Love, Your Dad