This machine is essentially a closed circuit, TV camera that possesses within it great powers of magnification. By placing it over the book or item that I wish to read it gives me the ability to magnify that text to an almost unlimited extent, making it readable and accessible. Since it is operated through electrical energy it is of no use to me on Shabbat and holidays but overall it has been a great boon to my eyesight and to my spirits.

 

The power of magnification that it possesses is so strong, even imperfections in the font (style of type being used) are clearly revealed to me, sometimes to my great annoyance. Though no machine is perfect and there are minor difficulties with this one as well, the main problem that I face when using it is that because of the magnification, I am only able to see part of the page or even just part of the sentence that I want to read. This impedes the continuity of thought that is often necessary for one to really appreciate reading or studying texts.

 

Though the machine has excellent magnification it cannot give you the big picture of the page or subject that you are reading. And, when one does not have the ability to see that big picture of the entire page then the sentences and words that he or she does see clearly are oftentimes disassociated and hard to understand and appreciate.

 

This is pretty much true in life as well. We are often caught up in details, that in the long run of events, are unnecessary and unworthy of the attention that we pay them. The big picture escapes us, and we only see the imperfections, the details of our lives and society in a magnified fashion.

 

My magnifying machine provides a variety of backgrounds that one can choose, to help facilitate easier reading. I have noticed that it does not work at all if no background is chosen. That is true as well in life and events. Nothing occurs in human society in a vacuum. Nature itself abhors a vacuum. For the present to have any meaning or influence there must first be a background to help explain it and contrast changing circumstances and times.

 

Many of the major problems that beset the Jewish world today arise simply because there is no knowledge or acknowledgment of the background of history and experience that can give rise to an explanation and a rational understanding. Without the bigger picture in mind, current events make no sense and are mere distractions of relative unimportance.

 

My walk to the synagogue on Shabbat entails a climb of five blocks straight uphill. I am not embarrassed to admit that I do not do this walk in one-fell-swoop, but I stop to gather myself for the rest of the journey. When I do so I invariably turn around and see how far I have come and how steep the road was that I have already climbed. Psychologically, if not even physically, this gives me a great lift and the remaining journey no longer appears as daunting and difficult as it did at the outset. If you know how far you have come it is easier to imagine that you will yet successfully achieve your goal.

 

The state of Israel is currently celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding.

I feel that seeing how far you have come is very true regarding the story of the Jewish people and of the state of Israel over the last century of travail, tragedy and constant tension. Having come this far against such great odds and triumphed in such an unlikely fashion it becomes much easier for one to feel that the rest of the journey will be as successful as the beginning as been. By seeing the whole picture, even the disturbing details that we had to endure become only milestones in the great progress of the history of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Berel Wein