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Thoughts to Nosh OnOctober 2005From the Desk of Rabbi SharffThis past month America suffered one of the greatest natural disasters in its brief history. It will be months or years before the loss can be calculated, both in terms of human loss and financial loss. For many of us we are left feeling just as helpless as we did not that early September day a few years past, or during the news that flowed out of the Far East regarding the catastrophic loss of life due to the Tsunami. During these times of great tragedy three general patterns emerge. The first is the most commonly reported, when the dregs of society begin to prey on those most vulnerable. The second is when the human spirit arises above all else and the majority of people, even those not remotely affected; reach out with their hearts, thoughts, prayers, and pocket books.
Then there is the third pattern, a return to theology. Some use catastrophes to question the existence of God. Others use it to proclaim that the end of times is almost at hand. But what about a Jewish theological response? What does tools does our tradition provide us with to help us walk through such tragedies together?
First and foremost we have prayer. We pray for the victims and their families. Collectively we ask God to help provide comfort and consolation. Secondly we have the mitzvah of tzedakah, where it is incumbent upon us to help those in need. For us a mitzvah is more than a good deed, it is that sense of moral obligation to help all who are suffering. And we know this feeling each time we open our pocket books, never thinking this is all I can give, but rather I will give as much as I can.
Thirdly there is the sense of Klal Yisrael, of a larger community that we are all bound to. One of the great happenstances that have come out of our years of collective suffering is that we as individuals and as a people hurt when others are hurting. It is not just an intellectual response, it is something we feel deep down in our kishkes.
Tragedies can both tear people apart as well as bring them together. According to our tradition, it is incumbent upon us to see that we all help to forge a strong sense of kesher (connection) during times of tragedy, just as we would during times of great celebration. For if each of us can help alleviate at least a little suffering, then we will have indeed helped to repair the world. Rabbi Ben Sharff |
