PARSHA Mattos-Maasei 5785
Visiting Day 2025
Rabbi Gabi Gittleson
Director
Visiting Day 2025 is in the books. Our two sons are in an amazing sleep away camp, having the time of their lives. Making new friends, sports, swimming, learning groups, camaraderie – thank G-d, they are living and loving their camp experience.
But Visiting Day can be a complicated, emotional day. On the one hand, the boys were excited to see us after two weeks, proud to show us around camp and introduce their friends and counselors – to let us see first hand how they are thriving. On the other hand, the end of the day was tough and emotional, as they knew that we were leaving again and would not see them for another two weeks.
I pulled each of my sons aside privately and individually to talk about how they were feeling, as we prepared to leave. Among the things we spoke about, I asked them:
“I know it is hard to say goodbye again, especially after you acclimated so well and were thriving. In the future, would you rather we not come to Visiting Day, to spare you from the tough emotions and sadness at the end of our visit?”
Both boys said the same thing. Of course we want you to come next Visiting Day. Saying goodbye is hard, but not seeing you at all is even harder.
On the drive home, I thought how their response was pretty epic and very apropos to all of us, regarding our relationship with Hashem, G-d. The phrase “There is no atheist in the foxhole” is one I connect to, as a fundamental belief of mine is the G-dly piece inside every single one of us, the neshama (soul), is always yearning to connect and have a relationship with Hashem.
We each have an important choice in life – to dabble with our connection to G-d, only talking to Him sporadically, whether during an occasional service, visit to Israel or personal crisis. Or we can lean in on it, work on the relationship, deepen the connection and enjoy the deep joy and fulfillment that comes with a personal connection to Hashem.
Because Hashem is our parent. And when we “visit” him once or twice a year, He loves the visit – but then it makes it so much more difficult when we “leave.” He wants to see us all the time, hear what’s going on in our lives, have a meaningful and lasting relationship with us. All it takes is for us to reach out and talk to Him.
And yes, He speaks English.
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