GOD, TWINKIES & ROOT BEER

Rabbi James Michaels

The holiday of Shavuot presents a challenge. Without the intense experience associated with Pesach and Sukkot, and without the universal recognition of the High Holy Days, many Jews let the holiday pass with barely a blip on their religious radar screens. But the holiday conveys a very special spiritual message: each of us can perceive God.

Standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, our ancestors experienced revelation as they heard the divine voice proclaim the Ten Commandments. In the synagogue, as we read the account in graphic detail, we're given an opportunity to sense that special moment. And yet one can ask if it's possible to perceive God during the rest of the year. I believe we can. Here's a story which shows us how.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later; his mother was surprised by the look of joy in his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

The face of God is available for all to see; it's to be found in the smiles and expressions of love which we give and receive from others. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring. When we give them, we act as God's agents; when we receive them, we should sense the Divine presence which our ancestors perceived at Mt. Sinai. And remember one more thing: People come into our lives for a reason. Embrace them all equally!