Don't Say "Never Again!"
Dear Editor,
On the agenda at last week's demonstration in Washington D.C. was the concept that we are going to war on antisemitism. We will not tolerate this in our country, nor the various statements that go along those lines. This type of talk is in sync with the infamous saying, "Never Again," which constitutes a great lack of emunah. The g'dolim have said that everything that happened in the Holocaust was midah k'neged midah (measure for measure), due to the deterioration of the majority of klal Yisrael in the century prior to the Shoah, and especially in the ten preceding years. See, for example, Rav Avigdor Miller's book A Divine Madness, where he discusses this in great detail. Thus, the g'dolim have said that the atrocities were a manifestation of the parshiyot of the Tochachah, that relate five places in the Torah when klal Yisrael keeps the mitzvot and we are rewarded with peace, while the opposite can occur. Thus, these curses could transpire again - and even worse, r"l. The statement "Never Again" is a great lack of faith that no doubt stems from ignorance on the part of those who chant its words. A yid who is maamin, a believer, understands that making such statements does not help. Alternatively, one must learn the root cause, and act accordingly. Of course, we can plead and beseech Hashem for rachamim.
After the Simchat Torah attack, we may feel very vulnerable. The uptick of antisemitism around the world also contributes to such feelings such that we feel slighted or violated, and crave to push back. However, as Jews, we must understand and realize several points.
First, we must acknowledge that antisemitism has been around for over 2,000 years. The fact that there seemed to be a decline in hatred for the past 70 years, is a tremendous chiddush, novelty. So, instead of wondering how this could transpire, we should wonder, "Why indeed was there no excessive antisemitism over the last seven decades?! As a matter of fact, for the past 70 years, we have been surrounded by goodness as never before. This should get us thinking, why was Hashem so good to us; this is not the way of the world when we are in galut!
Some people may have indeed forgotten that we are in exile - due to our luxuries and freedom. If so, perhaps Hashem is now sending us a reminder of our state. Many seforim write explicitly that the number one reason for antisemitism is to remind us that we are exiled. It is a constant cue that we do not belong here; this is not our home, and we have overstayed our welcome. Therefore, if we react to antisemitism with indignation, we have totally missed the message. Now, I am not ruling out any sort of hishtadlut, I am referring to demanding equalization with outrage, and showing disdain and disbelief. To this, I suggest relaxing, as this is the norm. Showing anger and resentment is not okay, and can even be counter productive. When one is a guest, they are humbled. When one's guest shows signs of haughtiness - as if he owns the place - send them along their way, because the company has overstayed their visit. Similarly, we are also guests here in America, and we need to show humility and gratitude. Failing is a sign that we have overstayed our welcome, and should return home, to Eretz Yisrael.
In almost every area of our life, we have been so influenced by society from dress, to speech, and even thoughts. The bottom line is that when we hear of difficulties, we must have the urgency that it is time to head home. Then, we can ponder why we want this change of location. Perchance, it is time to think deeper into the brachot of Shemoneh Esrei that pertain to g'ulah, as well as the instances found in Kaddish, Birkat HaMazon, Al HaMichyah, amongst others. Cry out to Hashem to take us home to Yerushalayim with the Beis HaMikdash where we belong and can fulfill our destiny fully, Amen!
Signed,
Rabbi Y. Friedman
Is Your Luggage Packed?
Dear Editor,
As the situation in the world is escalating exponentially, we must understand what is actually happening. Many g'dolim say we are submerged in the battle of Gog U'Magog and what we are seeing is clearly the signs of Mashiach. If you do not see these telltales, wake up and learn the indications if necessary. For those who notice the simanim, what are you doing about it? First, we must know that even if this is the final battle, we do not know how long it may continue. Therefore, we cannot sit back with our arms folded waiting for Moshiach's arrival, rather we must beg and plead with our Father in heaven to bring the G'ulah immediately – for His sake. Furthermore, we must prepare.
Let me give a mashal. There was once a ship that capsized due to a storm, and sank. To the good fortune of the passengers and crew, this incident happened near an island allowing all to swim to safety. To their better fortune, diamonds and precious gems were discovered on the island. While the captain built a new ship, the group spent a year collecting the stones. One day, the captain announced that the ship was almost ready, noting that he would honk the horn five times throughout the day, and with the final honk, the ship would finally depart. On that last day, a man saw someone sitting by the ocean waiting. He asked him, "What are you waiting for?" to which he responded, "I am waiting for the horn to stop blaring, because I cannot wait to return home; my family is awaiting my return." The wise man replied, "Of course, we are all yearning to return to our families, however, as long as we have not heard the last horn, we will grab as many diamonds as we can." Similarly, our attitude these days needs to be of yearning and desiring with excitement to the return to the Beis HaMikdash. Moreover, we should share this energy with the youth of our generation. It has been suggested that one can even pack a briefcase as a family.
What are the precious diamonds, one may ask. This is when we have joy and mesiras nefesh when doing mitzvot, and control ourselves from doing against the ratzon Hashem.
Likewise, waiting anxiously for the glory of Hashem’s malchut to return, is in itself greatly precious. During our current situation, Hashem is calling out to see our longing, and it is most definitely the time to give it all we got! Praying three times a day, is constantly davening for the G'ulah. We must put fuel to the fire. When we answer, "Amen Y'hei Sh'mei Rabah," the walls of our shuls should be shaking and quaking along with our voices; When davening at a chupah, pray that the Almighty takes us back with the ultimate chupah; At a brit, daven that Eliyahu HaNavi should bring us the wonderful news of Moshiach, and that Hashem should perform a milah to our hearts.
With respect,
Rabbi Y. Freidman
Do You Have The Face Of A Dog?
Dear Editor,
Rav Moshe Sorotzkin relates a p'shat in Chazal, in the Mishnah at the end of Masechet Sotah, regarding the period before Mashiach, "P'nei hador k'p'nei hakelev," the face of the generation will be like the face of the dog. Meaning, just like when you throw a stick at a dog, the animal will instinctively attack the object and never have a thought about the human being that is ultimately responsible. So too, the generation at the end of days will be numb to realizing the source of events that are transpiring and act foolish without faith looking at an issue while forgetting that it is sent by Hashem. The MIshnah concludes, "Al mi lanu lehishaen," on whom can we rely? on our Father in heaven. The Mishnah provided the important solution.
S.R.
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