What’s with us? Only a few months ago, on Purim, many of us were outraged that the snowy weather “ruined” our Purim. We weren’t able to display our beautifully themed Shalach Manot packages to as many as we had planned for. The weather didn’t allow us to drive down the well paved and plowed Teaneck and Bergenfield streets. Those that set up their popcorn stands, their hot dog stands, and other sundry typical Purim displays were forced to curtail most of their activity. We were probably the only ones that were ecstatic with the outcome of the weather on that day as we were dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus. It would have looked pretty ridiculous if the grass was showing and the buds were beginning to bloom. For us this was absolutely perfect.
We kept asking ourselves when is this misery going to end? It’s too cold for the kids to play outside and the idea of dressing them in snowsuits and boots became a tremendous burden. We remember those days when we would dress five in their winter apparel, huffing and puffing to finally finish and get them ready to leave the house… when of course one would announce that he or she had to go to the bathroom. There are times when being a grandparent instead of being a parent is really quite pleasant.
Today we hear everywhere that we go that it is just too hot. “Ugh, I can’t take it. I am so verschvitzed.” “There is no air to breathe.” Do we all remember how frozen we were several months ago and how much we complained?
We remember when our friends in Miami Beach would complain that it was so hot that inevitably they would have to come into their homes from their Sukkah because the heat was overwhelming. We would laugh because in Montreal frequently on Sukkot we would complain about the snowflakes in our soup. If it were not too cold then it was too annoying to have bees flying all over the place. Somehow there was rarely a perfect moment!
We used to talk to each other about how romantic it was to take a walk in the rain. We still think so. We would go out with an umbrella and sing at the top of our lungs and no one else would be around. It was so much fun. Often, if we had the opportunity to go away for two days, Nina would always check the weather forecast to make sure that the sun was going to be out during our very short getaway. She was reminded by Mordechai that it really didn’t matter as long as it was the two of us alone together. We need to learn to make the most of the moment and to be satisfied no matter what. We cannot complain about the heat and then express outrage at the cold. It is what it is and honestly whatever we say isn’t going to make a particle of difference anyway. Remember the days when air conditioning was not as prevalent as it is today? If we were lucky enough to have it, it was usually in one room, the bedroom! We would eat in the bedroom as well as use it for sleeping.
We have come a long way. We can’t even imagine what the future holds but one thing is for certain, the weather is always going to be controlled by Hashem, and B”H, there is at least one thing that modern man has not yet figured out how to control.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
