Connecting With The Almighty

Words of Inspiration By Tzvi Pearlstein, MD, FAAOS, FACS,
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

As a doctor, I have seen the suffering of many patients. I have also seen how trying circumstances have brought out the best in both patients themselves and in their families and loved ones.

Pain is not a new experience. I am the eldest son of a holocaust survivor. As a child I was patterned to provide my mother with joy and with joyful events after all the suffering she had witnessed as a young teenager. My awareness of this as an adult made me realize that I was not only fulfilling her need. I was also growing my own character. By helping her, I was truly also helping myself, and, as is the case when any two people share an act of kindness, was thereby elevating the entire world at the same time—acts of kindness tend to multiply and spread resulting in more kind acts.

By caring for another we can accomplish great things, not only for others, and not only for our own self improvement, but also in our connection to God. And the stronger our connection to the Almighty, the greater the benefits we receive in every aspect of our lives.

Building a foundation is always an effort and the same is true with our connection to God. Building a relationship with the Almighty is an effort and a process. It can start with, and is most easily achieved, by doing something for another human being. Each of us can and must share our own unique talents and attributes with those who have less--and doing so is not only man’s work. It is the work of the Divine. It is a partnership we share with God.

A child with any disability or challenge to overcome is indeed a special child, one who deserves great love and attention. We need to transform any pain that may arise from such a condition into constructive loving efforts. It’s about time for human beings, made in the image of God (meaning that we can and must emulate the will of God), to WAKE UP and truly emulate God.

Lend your hand. Do not be a taker. The model for what we need to do is the handshake. According to Torah (Bible) sages and authentic Kabbalah, ten fingers represents a whole. The number ten is all inclusive, comprising all human attributes. When you reach out your hand and your five fingers combine in a handshake with another’s five fingers, the result is a combined whole holy Godly unit. This is the meaning of the Hebrew greeting, “Shalom.” You and me-- together we make a united whole—Peace onto us and the world.

When you see someone in need--someone less fortunate than yourself in any realm— be ready to give a hand and elevate the world. And should that person be a widow, an orphan, or a child or adult with autism, cancer, or one of many human afflictions—give of yourself—bring kindness, love and joy into the world.

Dr. Tzvi Pearlstein practices orthopedic medicine/surgery in Coral Springs and serves as a consultant throughout Southeast Florida from Jacksonville to Miami, with a focus on preventive medicine and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Pearlstein is a graduate of PrincetonUniversity and New York University School of Medicine. The author of several published studies, Dr. Pearlstein also served as Chief Orthopedic Surgeon in the United States Air Force at Clark Air Base, Philippines, and at Andrews Air Force Base, Wash. D.C., as a professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and left his practice of orthopedic surgery in Anaheim, California in 1990 to serve as a Major during the first Gulf War. His current Book/DVD/Web Project THE ONE MINUTE STRETCH will soon be available online & in book stores. Dr. Pearlstein can be seen playing trumpet with various bands in various musical establishments in South Florida. You can reach him at his office, 954-344-0111 or 877-REHAB30.