With everything the Jewish people face in the world today, why are so many in our community apathetic? Why do so many fail to see the writing on the wall and the urgency to get active and support Jewish life?
The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Va'era. Moshe reiterates to the Jewish people that the time for their liberation from Egypt has come, and the Torah tells us, "but they did not listen to him because their spirit was broken and because the labor was harsh." The Jewish people at the time were so adversely affected by their slavery, physically, emotionally, and physiologically, that they could not consider a life of greater purpose, a life of freedom to serve G-d fully.
The Torah teaches us this simple truth: when the realities of life are overwhelmingly painful, we are often deaf to the cure for that pain. This can be clearly seen in our world today. Over the last few years, The Jewish people have been subjected to an increase of hatred, animosity, and resentment around the world. The challenges we face in Israel weigh on each of us daily, and the future seems fraught with fear. All of these factors have created tremendous anxiety for many in our community, that they can't see the solution is right in front of them. Yes, we need to wake each other up and inspire each other to live more Jewishly and be more active in our local communities, but we also need to be empathetic to those struggling to find their footing during this crisis. Their lack of response is not an indictment of their love for Jewish life but rather a cry for help, love and support, kindness, and compassion as they work to find the strength they need to follow your lead.
Life can be harsh; we need to recognize that and channel the divine light we all possess to help each other rise above it and reconnect with its source.
Mission: Help others struggling to move forward in the current climate. Be patient, be loving, and you will see them reveal their Jewish pride.