I recently took a group to a restaurant for breakfast. To save time, I ordered the same thing for everyone: omelets, salad, coffee and orange juice. The food was good and we had a pleasant time. But when it was time to pay the bill, I saw we’d been charged $100 per person!
I approached the manager and asked what was going on. Why so outrageously expensive?
He answered with one all-too-familiar word: Inflation.
I said, “Yes, but this is way beyond inflation!”
“Well, workers need to be paid more, ingredients cost more, there are supply chain issues, the war in Ukraine, astronomical gas prices…” he explained.
Yes, this actually happened. Inflation is everywhere, but this was something else!
If you ask people what their main worry is these days, you will undoubtedly hear: Inflation.
It’s affecting everyone, everywhere, and it shows no signs of abating. I filled up on gas the other day, and paid over $100 for the first time in my life. I’m in the process of negotiating prices with a hall for our annual gala and they want $25 more per person than in previous years. Our organization has been helping needy families pay for food, and we’re being told that what we’ve given in the past simply isn’t enough for them to go grocery shopping anymore. No matter what industry, no matter what you buy, inflation is unavoidable.
So, what spiritual lesson can we learn from this? As we know, everything we encounter in the physical world provides a practical lesson for our service of G-d.
I came to the conclusion that if the value of physical goods and services is rising, it’s up to us to raise the value of our spiritual service too.
We need to view every mitzvah, every opportunity to connect with G-d, as infinitely more valuable.
If last year we dedicated two hours each week to Torah study, this year let’s spend five hours per week.
If you used to go to shul on Shabbat and holidays only, try adding one more morning per week.
If you usually light Shabbat candles in a hurry, without much thought, spend a few minutes in front of the candles praying and connecting with the One Above.
Some mitzvot will cost significantly more due to inflation: purchasing a pair of tefillin, buying and installing a mezuzah on your door, dining in kosher restaurants and buying kosher groceries. Most importantly, we need to keep in mind that costs have gone up for everyone, and adjust our charitable giving accordingly. What we used to give is no longer enough.
The good news is that, according to the Talmud, while we do not know the exact date of Moshiach’s arrival, one of the signs to look for is “oppressive inflation,” which means the Final Redemption must be right around the corner. Let’s get ready!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Uriel Vigler