by Rabbi M. Bogomilsky
An ambitious newcomer from a former communist country had become very impressed by the American free enterprise system. He now looked forward to starting his own retail business to make himself a success. But before jumping into a new venture, he wanted to learn the ways and means of economics and marketing in this country. Trying to find out more about the American lifestyle and buying habits, he walked the streets to see for himself how business was being conducted here, and to learn the styles and secrets used by those enterprises that had proven to be successful.
Looking around, he saw that a certain store was attracting a much larger crowd of customers than nearby stores. Walking closer, he saw a big colorful "Grand Opening!" sign hanging above. As he did not read English, he asked a passerby what was happening, and he explained to him that people liked to check out the new place and what it had to offer. But the man wanted to explore further and find other successful ventures.
Continuing on his stroll, he noticed another store a few blocks away with frenzied shoppers that was also attracting more customers than other stores nearby. Pushing his way through the big crowd, he looked up and saw a big colorful "Going Out of Business!" sign hanging above. Inquiring what the special here was, he was told that that the sign above attracted many customers who were seeking to get themselves a bargain.
The new enterprising "businessman" now had it all figured out. He was all set and ready to duplicate what he learned from other people's successes and use them to his own advantage. Committed to utilizing all methods and avenues to success, and eager to work double as hard as anyone else, the man was determined to make his store a tremendous success right from the beginning. He went out and hired a sign maker to make him a copy of both signs that he saw attracted customers, and hang them right above the entrance to his store.
Unfortunately, business was terrible. No one walked in! People were simply afraid to enter because they were convinced that his store must be owned and operated by a 'meshugana' lunatic.
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This comical anecdote does not happen only to uneducated greenhorns.
Unfortunately this story is repeated by many of us, and reflects the sad situation at too many important Jewish events and milestones that are observed nowadays.
To start with, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the first celebration in which a young Jewish boy or girl actively attends the Synagogue and participates in the Mitzvos services. But the youth do not always continue to learn to enjoy, and continue in their Jewish life and observances.
We see the big lavish Bar/Bat Mitzvot where a huge birthday cake is rolled in with fourteen candles on it. The candles are lit up and then the Bar Mitzvah boy or girl takes a deep breath and blows out all the candles.
The parents, family and guests are all very happy and applaud the celebrant on achieving this milestone. How often is it that with blowing out of the candles s/he is proclaiming that on the very day of his "grand opening," s/he is also "going out of business," drawing the curtain on living Torah and Judaism? We unfortunately see many marriages that are entered into with great pomp and circumstance, major declarations and manifestations of love and caring, and end soon afterwards with strife and animosity. The same holds true with businessmen who enter partnerships that turn into a disastrous battle in court.
There are so many other crucial times in life when we observe how "Grand opening" and the "Going out of business" follow each other in quick succession.
On Rosh Hashanah, we are all given the opportunity to start afresh and make a "Grand opening."
As we begin the New Jewish year, let us resolve to stay in business. May we grow from strength to strength in our devotion to Torah and active Jewish life. Such a sincere "Grand opening" will produce many good and happy returns throughout the year.
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