The Healer Of The World

By Rabbi Yaakov Rahimi

COVID-19 has been the silent killer for many months, but hope is on the horizon. The major news story dominating headlines has been the sudden release of various vaccines to the novel coronavirus and how efficiently the nations of the world will disseminate its healing powers. In the shot heard around the world, a British nurse rolled up the sleeve of 90-year-old Margaret Keenan to administer the first dosage of an unprecedented global effort to end a pandemic that has killed so, so many people. The United Kingdom is the first Western country to deliver the broadly tested and independently reviewed Pfizer vaccine to the general public.

“It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year,” explained Keenan to reporters.

In life, we have rules that must be followed. First and foremost, we have the holy Torah. Our mitzvot, the halachot that we adhere to should never be viewed as restrictions. The laws of the Torah should be turned to help us enjoy our time here in this complicated and sometimes uneasy world.

The millions of doses of the vaccines might be hailed as a miracle, but the vaccination campaign is expected to take many months, meaning painful restrictions that have disrupted daily life and punished the economies of the world are likely to continue until spring. To many, the vaccines are viewed as “the beginning of the end.” Things that we are so used to like meeting friends and family have drastically been disrupted. We can get those back. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next month. But in the months to come.”

If it is every person for themselves, then world would be like a jungle and absolutely chaos. In a world where every individual thinks they know best and believes it is their way or the highway as only their decisions are correct, humanity gains no benefit other than for one to fill their ego and their own agenda. The unfortunate result of this is the destruction of humanity. However, we are repeatedly saved with Torah.

It is just like the Zohar says: “The Torah is a refuah to the world.” Right now, we are going through one of the worst pandemics to plague the globe. Imagine that someone discovers the ultimate cure for this dreadful virus. This healer is certain that their method works and that there are no negative effects. Would it be selfish of that person to only keep the treatment for themselves and not share it with the rest of the world? Of course! Anyone that would humanity of the coronavirus’ therapy would be defined as a cruel, immoral person.

So too, in our lives, we must not deprive ourselves and others of the refuah herein – Torah. We must not continue thinking that the college professors, multi-billionaires, and celebrities have all the solutions to life. The lives of many of these people are in disorder and if one looks up to these personalities as role models, they can expect their life to as well fill with anarchy.

As the COVID vaccine is distributed, the first injections will serve the elderly and those hospitalized. Next, healthcare professionals will get their chance at the remedy, followed by the general public. For the masses, it will be next year before there is enough vaccine created to expand the vaccination program. Ideas like choosing groups of school aged children or pregnant women, followed by those over 50 and those with preexisting conditions are also being discussed.

So where did the world second vaccine dose go? In a fitting bit of theatre, an 81-year-old gentleman received that special serum. William Shakespeare from Warwickshire, the county where the poet bearing the same name was born, is the first lucky man.

The Jewish people have access to the most effective refuah in the world and we must take complete advantage of its healing powers. Only once we accept the influences of the Torah as our role model and medicine can we lead lives of fulfillment, direction, and enjoyment.