Rabbis' Blog

“Empathy,” my friend said to me this week. “We need to have empathy for people and realize that everyone is handling this crisis differently. Folks are scared.”

He is deeply involved in the COVID-19 response locally and will be the first to tell you that no matter what measures are implemented, reactions will vary greatly due to personal circumstances. The data is evolving, the analysis is fluid and leadership on all levels is facing challenges our modern society has never imagined. No wonder people are frightened.

As we work together to adapt to our new reality it would be prudent to seek the positive things we can take from these unprecedented times. I believe the fact that we now feel so small and intimidated by a mysterious force beyond our control is an opportunity to reframe our approach to life.

The name of this week’s parsha gives reference to the fact that the Torah and Mitzvot were revealed to us at Mount Sinai. When the talmudists wish to express the idea that our tradition traces back to the original divine communication between G-d and Moshe they often use terms such as “received from Sinai.” Why is the original location of the revelation so important?

Mount Sinai was not the tallest nor the prettiest mountain. It was rather small and plain. Tradition teaches that this mountain was chosen to teach us the importance of humility. If so, why did G-d not give us the Torah in a valley? Because the Jewish way of life demands pride and a sense of spiritual elevation.

How can these two seemingly opposite traits complement each other?

Here is how the Rebbe defines the teachings of Chabad philosophy which seeks to uncover the essence of Judaism:

Chassidus is Divine intelligence, an understanding which shows man how small he is, and how great he can become. (Hayom Yom 19 Iyar)

Judaism is forever anchored to Mount Sinai because Torah provides us the framework in which we can appreciate how small (Sinai) we truly are within context of the awesome divine reality, but that specifically within this context we are capable of achieving true greatness (Mount).

COVID-19 has jolted all of us to the jarring realization that we are very small. Instead of becoming confused and despondent in the face of this perceived human failure, let’s embrace our tininess in a wholesome and healthy matter. Realize that we are tiny yet integral cogs in a massive divine plan and discover how we can achieve the greatest heights by fulfilling our G-d given mission.

While we can’t control the virus at large we can control how we make our world a better and more divine space. Make Torah study a priority in life, take on a new and daring Mitzvah or boldly increase your charitable giving. Be humbled yet empowered - just like Mount Sinai.

It’s been two months now since staying home is the best way to preserve our health. Although prudent during a pandemic, most of us are getting tired and irritated from the lack of personal social interaction we cherish and many are asking what could possibly be the silver lining of such a reality, aside for the practical health benefits.

This Tuesday we will celebrate Lag B’Omer, anniversary of the passing of the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. While it seems counterintuitive to party on the day such an important Jewish leader passed away, it was Rabbi Shimon himself who instructed his students to mark the day as a nation-wide celebration.

Rabbi Shimon lived in the era immediately following the destruction of the second Holy Temple and his leadership was crucial to preserving Torah scholarship and observance for generations to come. His signature contribution to Judaism is the foundational book of Jewish mysticism called the Zohar and all of Chassidic philosophy traces its roots in his teachings.

One day a Jewish traitor reported to the Romans that Rabbi Shimon critiqued them and the local governor ordered his execution. Together with his son Rabbi Elazar, Rabbi Shimon fled to the mountains and hid in a cave for thirteen years, until the governor died and his decree was annulled. For thirteen years the two sages had no contact with humanity and lived off the fruits of a carob tree that had miraculously grown at the cave’s opening and the refreshing waters of a nearby spring. They studied Torah day and night while enduring immense physical suffering.

Upon rejoining society Rabbi Shimon immediately sought to be helpful. In this week’s parsha we learn about the lifestyle of the Kohanim, the priestly family dedicated to serving in the Holy Temple. They are forbidden from coming in contact with a corpse or a grave so as not to contract ritual impurity, that would bar them from entering the Holy Temple at any time.

Even in the absence of the Holy Temple this restriction is still in place, and in Rabbi Shimon’s town there was a grave in the middle of a busy thoroughfare that had been lost. Somehow the grave marker had disappeared and the local Kohanim were unable to use the road for fear of walking over the grave.

Utilizing his divine supernatural powers Rabbi Shimon located the grave and life became more convenient for the local Kohanim.

The fact he was secluded in a cave for thirteen years did not make him aloof and grow apart from his people. On the contrary, his enforced solitary confinement strengthened his desire to make the world a better place.

Our current sheltering will not drag on for nearly as long as Rabbi Shimon’s but let’s ensure that the time we spend away from others nurtures a stronger desire within us to connect with each other and make a positive impact on society at large.

Be like Rabbi Shimon. Utilize the time alone for more Torah study and when we come out of all this we will be better equipped than ever before to make the world around us a better place.