It?s plain and simple: The situation that Klal Yisrael (the Entirety of Israel) is facing is a horrific one. We spend much of our time davening (praying), reciting chapters of Tehilim (Psalms) and learning Torah, but what are our intentions, goals, motives and incentives? What do we hope to achieve?
Are uncertainties and fears the only reasons driving our passion so intensely? What if life was good, nobody was dying and times were only joyous, then would the world run to daven, recite chapters of Tehilim and learn Torah with that same sense of flair, that same expression of eagerness? I would love to think so. Each and every one of us has a prediction and explanation to offer behind the disastrous stream of events. Through our insights, we hope to gain some control over the situation. Who in their right mind is in the position to claim that they know the reasons for why our nation is suffering? We need to come to terms with the fact that there are some things in this world that we are never going to know and this is just another drop in the bucket. Though we cannot validly provide reasons, we continue to do so anyway. We are aware that we cannot sit back and do nothing, so, where does that leave us? Good question. I?ve been unsuccessfully trying to come up with an answer for months now.
I have no answers and no hardcore solutions, but I have an insight that I would like to offer.
Throughout Tanach (the Bible), we see that H-shem expresses a much greater interest in gifts that are given to Him backed and cushioned with love, as opposed to gifts that are practically thrown in His face, that are severely lacking in the sincerity department. We speak of this concept in relation to korbanot (sacrifices) and, though we are not permitted to offer sacrifices today, I think the message behind the act of giving korbanot is an obvious one. H-shem does not want our animals, He wants our relationship. He wants us to admire Him, to serve Him out of love, to be filled with awe at His mysticism, but most importantly He wants us. If we only cry to Him when things don?t go our way, then what kind of relationship are we demonstrating here? G-d is not someone we can bargain with and come to know only when we need Him to give us gifts. The Master of the Universe is no idiot. Maybe He thinks that if He makes the world all peaceful, then we?ll rest comfortably with our TV sets, cars, swimming pools, and walk-in closets and we won?t have a need for Him. Maybe the influx of tefillot (prayers), Tehillim and Torah learning will come to a halt, because, after all, everything is running smoothly, so we no longer have that need to run and cry to Him. It?s as if a child scraped his knee outside, ran and cried to his Mommy, who of course kissed the wound and made it better, so now the child can go back outside to play without a care in the world. I use the example of a child, but we are an entire nation of people here ? smart, intelligent people. Sometimes our evil inclinations get the best of us and we act like five year olds.
If we say that G-d is mad, we have to be aware that we are talking from our point of view. How do we know that this portion of our lives isn?t part of a Master Plan that G-d has in store for us? Currently, it?s hard to see past the obvious torture, but with hindsight, hopefully, there will be some sense of clarity. Where is the good in innocent people getting blown up and shot every single day? If this segment of life is the really bad news that someone gives when they say they have ?good news and bad news,? then I can assume that most of us are asking, ?where is the good news already? Have we not suffered enough?? Who knows in what way G-d is responding to us? If we?re lucky, maybe He?s saying, ?My nation has been put through this torture, they have elevated themselves as individuals and have strengthened themselves as a nation, and they have a new found respect for Me, so I?ll stop inflicting this pain upon them, and bring them the Mashiach that they have been anticipating and yearning for for so long.?
As already mentioned, Tanach has proven time and time again that H-shem wants a sincere relationship. Perhaps if everyone would just turn inward and pick a few middot (character traits) that they need to work on (c?mon, we all have things that can be rectified), then maybe that would bring us a step closer to a final redemption. At this point, I think our nation can stand to take all the suggestions it can get, even if it?s not really our place as human-beings to be offering them. Now is the time to do something, anything. Whatever you think needs to be done, just do it, do it sincerely and do it out of love. Use this experience of tzarot (difficulties) as a way to bring yourself closer to H-shem and to elevate your relationship with Him.
Pesach is rapidly approaching. Next week, we are going to relive the enslavement and redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt. We will go through the rituals of the Seder, start off as slaves and come out as free wo/men, but every single one of us will know that we are still stuck in our own form of slavery - a restrictive lifestyle that inhibits you from acting normally because you live your life in fear.
H-shem, I know You are listening to me and reading every single word here. Please, on behalf of Klal Yisrael, put an end to our times of tzarot and turn our days of sadness and pain into days of simchah, geulah and yeshuah (joy, redemption and rescue), so that we no longer have to ask, ?Where is the good news already??
Chag kasher v?sameach and may we all be zoche (merit) to witness only good things on behalf of Klal Yisrael, iy?H (G-d willing).
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Shani Sipzner is a student at Stern College / Yeshiva University in New York.
Are uncertainties and fears the only reasons driving our passion so intensely? What if life was good, nobody was dying and times were only joyous, then would the world run to daven, recite chapters of Tehilim and learn Torah with that same sense of flair, that same expression of eagerness? I would love to think so. Each and every one of us has a prediction and explanation to offer behind the disastrous stream of events. Through our insights, we hope to gain some control over the situation. Who in their right mind is in the position to claim that they know the reasons for why our nation is suffering? We need to come to terms with the fact that there are some things in this world that we are never going to know and this is just another drop in the bucket. Though we cannot validly provide reasons, we continue to do so anyway. We are aware that we cannot sit back and do nothing, so, where does that leave us? Good question. I?ve been unsuccessfully trying to come up with an answer for months now.
I have no answers and no hardcore solutions, but I have an insight that I would like to offer.
Throughout Tanach (the Bible), we see that H-shem expresses a much greater interest in gifts that are given to Him backed and cushioned with love, as opposed to gifts that are practically thrown in His face, that are severely lacking in the sincerity department. We speak of this concept in relation to korbanot (sacrifices) and, though we are not permitted to offer sacrifices today, I think the message behind the act of giving korbanot is an obvious one. H-shem does not want our animals, He wants our relationship. He wants us to admire Him, to serve Him out of love, to be filled with awe at His mysticism, but most importantly He wants us. If we only cry to Him when things don?t go our way, then what kind of relationship are we demonstrating here? G-d is not someone we can bargain with and come to know only when we need Him to give us gifts. The Master of the Universe is no idiot. Maybe He thinks that if He makes the world all peaceful, then we?ll rest comfortably with our TV sets, cars, swimming pools, and walk-in closets and we won?t have a need for Him. Maybe the influx of tefillot (prayers), Tehillim and Torah learning will come to a halt, because, after all, everything is running smoothly, so we no longer have that need to run and cry to Him. It?s as if a child scraped his knee outside, ran and cried to his Mommy, who of course kissed the wound and made it better, so now the child can go back outside to play without a care in the world. I use the example of a child, but we are an entire nation of people here ? smart, intelligent people. Sometimes our evil inclinations get the best of us and we act like five year olds.
If we say that G-d is mad, we have to be aware that we are talking from our point of view. How do we know that this portion of our lives isn?t part of a Master Plan that G-d has in store for us? Currently, it?s hard to see past the obvious torture, but with hindsight, hopefully, there will be some sense of clarity. Where is the good in innocent people getting blown up and shot every single day? If this segment of life is the really bad news that someone gives when they say they have ?good news and bad news,? then I can assume that most of us are asking, ?where is the good news already? Have we not suffered enough?? Who knows in what way G-d is responding to us? If we?re lucky, maybe He?s saying, ?My nation has been put through this torture, they have elevated themselves as individuals and have strengthened themselves as a nation, and they have a new found respect for Me, so I?ll stop inflicting this pain upon them, and bring them the Mashiach that they have been anticipating and yearning for for so long.?
As already mentioned, Tanach has proven time and time again that H-shem wants a sincere relationship. Perhaps if everyone would just turn inward and pick a few middot (character traits) that they need to work on (c?mon, we all have things that can be rectified), then maybe that would bring us a step closer to a final redemption. At this point, I think our nation can stand to take all the suggestions it can get, even if it?s not really our place as human-beings to be offering them. Now is the time to do something, anything. Whatever you think needs to be done, just do it, do it sincerely and do it out of love. Use this experience of tzarot (difficulties) as a way to bring yourself closer to H-shem and to elevate your relationship with Him.
Pesach is rapidly approaching. Next week, we are going to relive the enslavement and redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt. We will go through the rituals of the Seder, start off as slaves and come out as free wo/men, but every single one of us will know that we are still stuck in our own form of slavery - a restrictive lifestyle that inhibits you from acting normally because you live your life in fear.
H-shem, I know You are listening to me and reading every single word here. Please, on behalf of Klal Yisrael, put an end to our times of tzarot and turn our days of sadness and pain into days of simchah, geulah and yeshuah (joy, redemption and rescue), so that we no longer have to ask, ?Where is the good news already??
Chag kasher v?sameach and may we all be zoche (merit) to witness only good things on behalf of Klal Yisrael, iy?H (G-d willing).
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Shani Sipzner is a student at Stern College / Yeshiva University in New York.