I think it is fair to say that we are all glued to the prison thread. Each of us read the details of
@hvaces42's tale with varying emotions - from sympathy and pity to anger and horror, and perhaps even a little judgment.
But while the story and the surrounding discussion is fascinating, I was struck by one aspect which I wish to share. It would appear the reason for sharing the story was due to it being a cautionary tale. As if to say, “I was a regular guy, just like you, who got caught up with bad activities. Before you knew it, I was being treated like a sub-human in Rikers.”
It could happen to anyone. You don’t need to be such a rashah to end up in a degrading, dehumanizing and debilitating place.
But what about the reverse? You don’t have to be such a tzadik to end up in a place of uplifting, inspiring joy.
Yesterday was Yud Tes Kislev, the Chag Hageulah of the first Chabad Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe, and we began studying the Tanya anew. On the title page, he informs us that the purpose of the work is to explain to “beinonim” the verse “ki karov elecha hadavar meod.” We can do it, not just tzadikim - me and you!
For most of us prison is a distant concept. Reading such a story from someone within our community shocks us into realizing it is not so far fetched after all - ki karov eilecha hadavar meod. Hopefully we can gain even more inspiration from the positive side of the coin and realize that a life of a beinoni - serving Hashem in the fullest measure - is not far fetched either.
The path to true joy and fulfillment may be arucha uktzara, but it is within our reach. It could happen to you!
Good Shabbos and gut Yom Tov one and all.
P.S. I didn't want to hijack the other thread with my drivel, hence the separate thread.