Once there was a poor man who lived across the street from a very rich man. Every day he would look longingly at the rich man's house wishing that he could experience what it is like to live like that. One day the rich man saw him looking at him and asked him what he wants, he said that he would like to experience what its like to live like that for just one day. The rich man is a sport so he tells him that in three months he is going away and he has some meetings with people who do not even know him. The rich man offers him the opportunity to fill in for him for the day and experience the life of a rich man. Three months go by and the poor man shows up just as the rich man is pulling away. His clothes are torn and his hair is long and straggling. The rich man says,"I thought you forgot, why didn't you get your hair cut and dress nicely" The poor man says, "I didn't realize that I had to prepare". The rich man drives away, and the poor man is whisked inside to try to find something that will fit him and go to a meeting. The poor man has no idea how to behave in rich society. He does not know how to use a menu at a restaurant, how to answer a simple question, how to give a speech. He makes a total fool of himself. When the rich man comes home he asks him how it was. The poor man says that it was worse then being poor, all day long nothing but humiliation and laughter.
If only the poor man would have prepared a little, he would have enjoyed the day. If he would have dressed nicely and learned how to behave he could have been treated with the honor that he so deeply wanted.
This is a mashal of us before Shavuos. If we don't prepare for Shavuos we are wasting a tremendous opportunity. The days of Sefias HaOmer are an opportunity for growth
from a Shiur by Rabbi Wachsman, "Reaching New Heights, Powerful Perspectives on Shavuos"
from the Chofetz Chayim Heritage Society
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