Tom Hanks and Dr Michael Mosley

From Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski, rabbi of Golders Green Synagogue and CEO of University Jewish Chaplaincy:

One afternoon, when I’d only been a rabbi for a year, I had an unexpected call that transformed my professional life. Would I stand in for a rabbi who was sick and teach a class of women? I agreed, and my career teaching Jewish ideas to adults was launched.

But I hit a snag. I couldn’t imagine how I would come up with anything that people would find interesting. So I reused material I’d heard from my own teachers. I felt like a bit of fraud for a while, although I always admitted that the ideas weren’t my own. But after a bit, something unexpected happened – I was beginning to come up with my own ideas and gradually created my own style, as well a collection of truly awful jokes.

A great thinker once said – if you walk in the footprints of others, you won’t make any of your own. It’s a lovely thought – we first need to imitate others, develop our confidence in their shadow and only then strike out on our own. It’s what I did years ago – and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Throughout my career as a rabbi, teacher and as the father of a large family, I’ve noticed that getting the right balance between individual expression and conformity can be really tough.

We live in a selfish age with a huge emphasis on individuality. But at the same time, there’s lot of pressure to conform to the dress codes and values of others.

This talk of individuality reminds me of a true story about a great rabbi called Zusha. As he neared the end of his life, his students noticed that he was afraid. ‘Rabbi’, they said, ‘you’ve lived a life filled with good deeds, so you’ve nothing to worry about’. Zusha turned to them and explained. ‘When I get to heaven, God won’t ask me: “Why weren’t you more like Moses or King David?” Instead, God will look right through me and ask: “Zusha, why weren’t you more like Zusha?” And then what will I say?’

I think about this story often. It really captures the importance of living a life not for oneself, but being oneself. So here’s a thought, Chris. We all know that you’re 100% your own man, but when that moment comes, God might just ask you why you weren’t even more like Chris. How will you answer?