There is a famous expression:

“It is only a drop in the bucket.”

This means that whatever was done was very insignificant and did not make too much of a difference. After all, one droplet of water falling into the sea cannot possibly make an impact on the great volume of water in the sea. People sometimes use this expression in relation to their own efforts and activities. They say:

“What can I do? I am just one person, and the job is so big – whatever I do can’t possibly change anything or make a difference.”

So what do they do? Because of their attitude, they end up doing nothing – they don’t even try.

In this week’s Sedra, Hashem responds to those of us who say: “It’s just a drop in the bucket – I might as well give up!” The Sedra opens with the word “re’eh” – see – which is written in the singular. It is speaking to one person. The verse goes on: “See, I present today before all of you a blessing and a curse.” The word “all of you” – “lifneichem” – is in the plural. It means Hashem is speaking to many people. But, if we understand the grammar of the verse, it is not correct! How can Hashem start off by talking to one person, and end off speaking to many people, in the same sentence? The answer is that Hashem is saying: “See, you as an individual are NOT a drop in the bucket! You are an individual who can make a difference “lifneichem” – for “all of you”. This means that your individual actions do count and are important. A smile can brighten someone’s day which can, in turn, brighten another person’s day, which may even cause someone to smile in Paris or beyond! That is the effect you can have on others and on the world!

There is a saying that if a butterfly flaps its wings in Peru, it could cause a hurricane in England. How could one flap cause a whole hurricane? The answer is that the one flap of wind from the butterfly joins together with millions of other flaps of wings of other butterflies and birds and can create a hurricane. So too with our deeds and actions. One act can affect many people.

And so the Jewish view does not accept the saying: “It is only a drop in the bucket.” The Jewish view of our actions is that we are each one ceramic tile in a whole mosaic of tiles. When you do one mitzvah, say a kind word, help your sister, or visit someone in hospital, the act does not disappear into the sea. It is one tile which fits into a whole jigsaw puzzle of a beautiful mosaic, and makes a wonderful impact on many people. So believe in yourself, and do one mitzvah today. You could change the whole world!