Lift Up the Cage!

There is no question that the year 5780 was one full of frustrations and challenges. COVID-19 not only paralyzed the global economy, it also took the lives of so many special members of Klal Yisrael, leaving their loved ones shattered over their loss.

On a personal level, the Rabbi that helped me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah, the family friend that introduced me to my wife, my rebbe of 15 years, and both mohel’s of my sons, all lost their lives due to this cursed virus.

Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to state that for too many – especially in the younger generation – this most probably was the most difficult year of their lives.

However, what is probably most frustrating to all is that many of the unknowns of several months ago remain unanswered to this very day. What is the real rate of infection? How many people actually died? Will there chas v’sholom be a second wave hitting us here in the states? Is this really a “set up” that will come to a sudden end after the presidential elections?

People from both ends of the stick can debate this for years to come. But tachlis, there is a reality that we cannot deny. Our shuls and schools were shut down for an extended period. Many businesses were destroyed. Lives were lost.

What can we learn from all this? What is the lesson we can take home as we enter the New Year?

There is a famous pasuk (verse) in Avos that is commonly quoted during the month of Elul, leading up to the high holidays. “אריה שאג מי לא יירא.” When a lion roars, who is not in awe?

Our sages tell us that this pasuk hints to a certain time in the Jewish calendar. אריה, lion, is the acronym of אלול (Elul), ראש השנה (Rosh Hashanah), יום הכיפורים (Yom Kippur) and הושענא רבה (Hoshana Rabbah). And so, the deeper meaning of the pasuk is that when one reaches the time of year beginning with the month of Elul, who is not in awe?

There is one simple question that needs to be analyzed. Our Sages are asking who is not in awe during this time. But if you really think about it, who is in awe? Who woke up differently in the month of Elul than they did the previous month? Yes, many communities woke up earlier for selichot but did they wake up in awe and trepidation or do they wake up like any other day, but maybe a bit grumpier?

In order to understand why we are lacking this feeling of awe; we would need to give a simple example. Have you ever been to a zoo? I personally am fascinated by seeing all the wondrous creations of Hashem. Every animal is so unique, if we only learn to appreciate the beauty of nature, we would be amazed by every one of them! Now, suppose you were walking along in the zoo, and you come across the king of the jungle.

Do you get scared upon seeing it for the first time? Are you in fear when the lion lets out a roar? Probably not. Why not? After all, it can tear you into pieces!

The answer is very simple. We are not scared of the lion, because there is a cage separating us. Thus, we stand there, flex our muscles, and take a selfie with a large smile…

Ladies and gentlemen, one of the reasons why we are not in awe during the month of Elul, and then during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is because we have a “cage” separating us from the reality of the upcoming judgement period. We have something distracting us from the fact that life, death, and everything in between is being determined in the upcoming days.

Everyone has a different “cage.” For some, it is the pursuit of money and honor. For others, it is social media. Whatever your cage may be, it separates you from Hashem and does not allow you to connect to Him in the proper fashion as we stand during the most serious time of the year.

As such, let us all do some introspection. We must all look deep into our hearts and find the keys to lift the cage that is separating us from this reality. One tool that can help us achieve this reality, is to simply reflect on all that has transpired in the previous year and to realize that it was all determined the previous year at this same time. Yes, COVID-19 may have started in China, but, in reality, it was signed and sealed by Hashem twelve months ago, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

With this being said, I am sure that many people reading this dvar Torah, have the tools to lift up their “cage” and connect to their Creator on a deeper level. They have enough of a Torah background to make the necessary adjustments.

However, while this may be true with you, unfortunately, there are thousands of children in our own back yards that don’t have that luxury. They do not know what it means to be a Jew. They do not know what a Gemara is. They never heard of the Shulchan Aruch. They were never given the tools to live a lifestyle that is in accordance to our beautiful traditions.

Tragically, over the years, many of these youth have been lost to assimilation and others to crime and drugs. We must all see this as a responsibility of ours to do the most we can in guiding family, friends, neighbors, and the community, to come closer to a Torah way of life. With a united effort, we can lift the cage around many in our midst and help them get closer and connect to their Creator like never before.

 By Rabbi Ilan Meirov