Rav David Yosef: Hashem Is Angry! A Reaction To Surfside

Rav David Yosef, shlit”a, son of Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, and Chief Rabbi of the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem as well as Rosh Yeshiva of Yechaveh Da’at Kollel delivered a striking message to the Jewish community of Miami and to all of klal Yisrael.

The tragedy that occurred in Miami is terrible. In Israel we had a tragedy the night of Lag Ba’omer. It was something incredible; we couldn’t believe it happened. 45 people died; they were all Jewish, religious and they came to celebrate the holiday and they died. Then a short time later, another tragedy befell the Jewish people when some people died in Givat Zev, then there was the story from Italy when a whole family perished, now Miami.

We have to ask ourselves, “What happened? Why are our Jewish brethren dying again and again?”

Now, in Miami we don’t yet know how many, but many Jewish people have died. We must understand that Hashem is angry. We don’t have to find excuses; Hashem is angry. When soemthing happens repeatedly it infers that it is much more than just a hint that Hashem and we must understand that something is wrong, and it falls upon us to do something to correct ourselves.

So, what can we do? Each induvial should look within and see where they err. I do not like to give mussar. One must find what they feel is wrong and where they can improve a make better decision. Sometimes we will find something that we have to stop doing, or an area where we must progress regarding Judaism. But one thing remains true for everybody – we must study the Torah to fulfill mitzvot. If we do this, the Talmud teaches “Torah magna u’matzla,” meaning, the study of Torah protects its adherents from all harm. This means further that when we study Torah, it defends am Yisrael from tragedies and saves us from times when Hashem already made decisions against us. We must study Torah.

Miami is blessed with beautiful communities, especially in the community of Aventura where my dear friend Rabbi Yosef Galimidi heads the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue with classes in the morning and evening, and a special kollel with avreichim allowing anyone who wants to study Torah to be afforded that opportunity. We can study and fulfill mitzvot. If we do not study then we do not know what is allowed or not on Shabbat, and how to wear tefillin, and many other mitzvot. If someone doesn’t learn, then he doesn’t know. Usually anyone who doesn’t know, he doesn’t know that he doesn’t know. Meaning, when we learn something, we have picked up a new piece of material.

This is a special thing that everyone has to accept on themself and to promise Hashem that we will not be the same as we were previously. If we did study Torah previously, then we must allocate more time to learn extra; increase from an hour to two hours, or an hour and a half. If someone did not study at all, this is the time to start.

In Miami the yetzer hara is very strong and it is a very materialistic place where people like to go out and enjoy themselves. If the area they are visiting is Kosher then it is allowed, but Hashem is asking that we take of our bodies in both a physical and spiritual way because we are created to learn Torah and do mitzvot. We must always find new ways to be stronger in these areas and this will help us create merits in our honor. These ideas will help, protect, and save us.

 Excerpted by Shabsie Saphirstein