Rabbi Steinmetz Imparts an Inspirational Message to Middle Schoolers for the New Year

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of KJ visited Middle Schoolers to talk about an important life lesson for the High Holidays. When he was a junior in boarding school, he and his roommate had a disagreement that led to a mutual silent treatment for 10 months. He used this story to illustrate that holding grudges is common, because people are not perfect, but that it occurs when we see the small picture rather than the big picture: we think of our petty anger without seeing how much holding onto the anger hurts us. He urged students to take away the inspirational message that they must try to see the big picture in life, not always the small picture, which is a vital idea to bring with them into the new year. He concluded, "That's what Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are all about."