“It is better for a man to use a fine cup for one day, even if it breaks the next day”
One day a dispute broke in the Sanhedrin (T.B. Brochus 27b) and the initial consensus was to depose of Rabban Gamliel the head of the Yeshiva.
The sages offered the newly opened positon to Rav Eleazar ben Azariah.
Being a wise man, Rav Eleazar told them that he first had to consult with his wife.
She was not enthusiastic about the offer as she claimed that just as Rabban Gamliel was deposed, perhaps you too will soon be deposed.
Rav Eleazar answered his wife: “It is better for a man to use a fine cup for one day, even if it breaks the next day”.
What did he mean by this seemingly cryptic answer?
Did he want to be “King for the day?”
Why take a position which may soon be non-existent?
Perhaps the answer is something we all can learn from.
Rav Eleazar agreed with his wife that his tenure as head of the Sanhedrin may be short lived (as indeed it was); however, nevertheless he was adamant in his decision to accept the appointment.
Why was he so adamant in accepting the positon for even a day?
The reason is simple, life is short and who knows what tomorrow may bring.
The parable of the fine crystal glass is quite appropriate.
There are people who have fine china and glassware in their cabinets who are waiting for that ‘special occasion’ to use them.
Too often the dishes will remain stored, unused in their china closet only to be disposed of in the local dumpster by their children after they themselves have left this world.
I recall once attending the Shiva of a 62 year old father who had suddenly passed away.
At the home his son mentioned something which sent chills down my spine.
“My father had bought a boat which he planned to go sailing in on Sundays; however, he could not drag himself away from his work, notwithstanding he no longer needed the income.
Unexpectedly, he developed cancer and died soon after with the never-used-boat still sitting in its pristine state in his driveway.”
Obviously, no one is advocating we abandon our livelihoods and spend our days sailing along while work has to be done; however, when an opportunity to accomplish something arises and there is no ‘down-side’ in taking the position, grab it!
Rav Eleazar ben Azariah was teaching us that when you are given a chance to make a change in the world, as he was by being the head of the yeshiva for the day- embrace that opportunity.
Too many of us leave this world with our best china still sitting in our china closet never having been touched.
Years ago many people covered their couches in plastic slip covers.
Ostensibly the rationale for this behavior was to save the couch for when the ‘kids’ grew up and no longer had sticky grimy hands which could stain the precious furniture.
In the summer it was not a pleasurable feeling to settle into the plastic encased couch; your exposed skin stuck to the plastic and you had to peel yourself from the couch.
The plush couch became a plastic nightmare; however, too often and for too many of us, even when the kids have grown and moved on, the plastic remains in place as if the kids are still coming back.
Friends, Rav Eleazar was teaching us to: “seize the moment”.
Every single day of our lives we are given the opportunity to use a fine crystal glass; however, too often we refuse to “enjoy it” for fear of its breaking.
Tomorrow the glass may still break; therefore, utilize and accomplish what you can today, for tomorrow may be too late.
