Your Own Melody

Translated by Rabbi Lazer Brody

Every individual must find his own “melody”- his own special talents, abilities, and character traits that enable him to accomplish his own unique mission on earth.
 
Stop and think: three times a day, we begin our prayers by appealing to the “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob.” Why don't we just say, “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”? The answer is that each of our forefathers served Hashem in his own special way without comparing himself to anyone else. Each had a special task on earth. Yet, each was a magnificent tzaddik in his own right.
 
Abraham served Hashem in the way of chessed, or compassion. He was the first believer and the father of monotheism.
 
Isaac served Hashem in the manner of gevura, of sternness and awe of Hashem. One might think that he would have been swayed to act just like his father, who brought emuna into the world. But no – Isaac knew that he had to use his own special characteristics to successfully complete his own special mission on earth.
 
Jacob neither compared himself with his grandfather Abraham nor with his father Isaac. By serving Hashem in his own way, he reached a level of personal perfection that no one else has ever attained.
 
Isaac learned emuna and Divine service from his father Abraham. Jacob learned the ways of both his father and grandfather. Each accepted and internalized the teachings of the previous generation, yet served Hashem in a manner that reflected his own individual inclinations. To this day, we totally accept and build on the teachings of previous generations, but we should serve Hashem in a way that best suits our individual personalities and circumstances without comparing ourselves to anyone in this generation or in any previous generation. Our thumbprints testify that Hashem created each of us unique; each one of us has a special quality or ability that no one else has.
 
Once a person realizes that he has his own special “melody”, he doesn't have to step to anyone else's cadence. He no longer has the need to compare himself with anyone so he no longer persecutes himself with all types of questions that rob him of his confidence, self-image and inner peace such as, “Why can't I be like John Doe? Why is Tony Ploni more successful than I am,” and the like. He asks one question only: “What does Hashem ask of me?”
 
Don't misunderstand: we don't cut ourselves off from society and community. We certainly don't cut ourselves off from family and parents. We don't try to change Hashem's laws to tailor to bodily appetites. But, we serve Hashem within the framework of His Divine ordnances, but each according to his special talents and abilities.
 
Within the community framework, such as a yeshiva or seminar, people can learn much from each other as well as aid one another in climbing the ladder of personal and spiritual development. We must remember though that each person is an individual; the group must not force a person to sacrifice his individuality and blindly conform to social codes that are exclusive of Torah and religious law. The individual must remember our sages' directive to forever be part of the community. We must therefore find ourselves the best possible community, while carefully retaining our individuality and serving Hashem in a way that best suits our own talents and personality.
 
Within a given community, one person is a magnificent scholar. Another person thrives on acts of lovingkindness, doing much to visit the sick and the less fortunate. A third person is a wonderful community organizer while a fourth person has a wonderful way in inspiring children. A fifth person is the moving force behind every new building project. Without him, there wouldn't have been the new mikva and the new synagogue. They all pray together, celebrate holidays together, learn Torah together, educate their children together and cooperate with one another. Yet, each has his own special way of serving Hashem.
 
Once you find your own special way, life will become unbelievably sweet. So, don't waste time doing inconsequential things – speak to Hashem and don't let up until He illuminates your own special path. Don't be afraid to sing your own melody – it's unique, and beautiful too.