Oprah's Visit

 Oprah opened her Next Chapter trying to unlock "America's Hidden Culture" and tries to demystify the "usually private and mysterious way of life" of Chasidic Jews. She has done what many have not. She has invited herself into a community which the world largely views with preconceived notions, misconceptions and stereotypes and admitted she knows nothing about them, but wants to learn. And she does.

She is warm, friendly and very curious. She asks many questions and seems genuinely comfortable with the answers she gets.  She almost seems inspired and uplifted by this amazing way of life as if she has indeed decoded of the world’s greatest secrets.  She has, only this, she too has not fully appreciated.

Of all the dogmas and particulars what Oprah finds most fascinating is how the children she met have never watched TV. She just can’t seem to wrap her head around the fact that these kids are completely unfamiliar with the personalities she mentions. Is it possible today to find a child who has never heard of Oprah Winfrey? In the United States of America?

The other day as I was checking out of Publix I quickly flipped through the home decorating section of The Good Housekeeping to check their latest tricks in home designing. I was shocked to see the first question to the designer. “I plan to redo my family room” a reader quipped, “to accommodate a new 60-inch flat-screen television. Any tips?”

For real? I didn’t bother reading the response. Not because we don’t own a TV and so the decorating help would be of no use to me, but because I knew the answer. That phrase was simply a contradiction of terms. Is it a family room or a TV room? Are you accommodating the family or the television?

A TV by definition is anti-social. It barricades communication between husbands and wives, parents and children. It is addictive and save for a few educational channels, it is a complete waste of precious time.

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.

One of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s, Rabbi Schneerson’s passionate campaigns was filling a Jewish home with books of Torah. We strive to do just so. As you enter our home, as you shift your view of the breathtaking golf course behind our house, it is impossible not to notice the walls lined with books. If nothing else, it teaches the children where the emphasis is, what the focal point is. What is important.

A family room is a family room so long as it is the room in which a family behaves as such. Where deep bonds and strong relationships are forged and kept sacred.

Most American’s would find their lives most invigorated and detoxified if only  they traded a small amount of TV watching for something more productive, say doing a puzzle with their children, sharing a candle-lit dinner with their spouse or a phone call to mom.

Oprah’s visit to the Chassidic community didn’t only enlighten and educate, it has released a treasure which can surely enrich any life. Only, you won’t hear it from her because without it who would Oprah be?