Waiting For A Flawless Child

Children are important. Very important. They alone guarantee the perpetuation of our heritage and holy faith from generation to generation. But you are also very important. You have an obligation to yourself, an obligation to see that you, too, turn out to be a good Jew. For in the end, you alone will have to account for all your years and deeds. In the final analysis, only your good deeds will accompany you and be permanently on your side. In connection with this, Reb Noson once said: It seems that everyone feels the need to leave over something for his children. This itself is a debt. Ask anyone who’s ever lived why they work so hard and he’ll tell you, “I do it for my children.” You’d think, said Reb Noson, that since everyone is working for his children, you’d see such wonderful children. I’m still waiting to see that flawless child! The one that everyone sells his life for!

(Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Rosen)