This past week was painful. Shabbat morning, on my way to Shul for services, I was already notified by a neighbor that a tragedy struck in Pittsburgh, but nothing could prepare me for the devastating details of what has since been called the worst attack on Jews on American soil in history.
In one of my numerous discussions this week I was asked if all of the outpouring of love and support will have any impact on the bad people. Will it help stop them from doing such things in the future?
Far from doubting the value of genuine good human response to tragedy, the questioner was expressing a deep concern: If bad people do bad things shouldn't our energies be focused on battling the bad? What's the practical value of all the love in terms of deterrent?
Risking being cliche I reflected on the fact that we deal with darkness by lighting a candle. Why not negotiate with the darkness? Perhaps we should try transforming darkness by force?
The answer is that darkness does not negotiate and it is unaffected by condemnation. The only practical response to darkness is bringing new light - one candle at a time.
But is it really true that one good deed can make a difference in our lives and in the entire world?
In this week's parsha we learn of the expedition to find a suitable match for Yitzchok.
Avraham charged his devoted servant Eliezer with the mission to bring a woman from his family in Charan back to Israel. Together with a caravan of ten loaded camels he miraculously arrived in Charan on the same day he left and settled down next to the well.
He had idea where to find the mystery girl so he made a deal with G-d. When the girls of the town come out to draw water from the well, he will ask them for a sip from their jugs. Whoever will graciously hydrate him and his camels will certainly be the right one for Yitzchok.
Rivka was the only modest girl in the region of idolatry and promiscuity. The proverbial rose among the thorns, she deserved to thrive in an environment more conducive to her noble character. That evening she went out to the well as usual, and when an old stranger asked for a simple sip of water from her jug, she graciously offered it.
She probably did not think much of it and it was certainly not a difficult favor to do for a stranger.
But this simple act of kindness caused a trajectory in her life and in human history. She was invited to live in Avraham's home and became the next link in the glorious chain of Judaism.
One simple act of kindness changed the world forever.
When tragedy strikes there is a select group of first responders called upon to make a practical difference in real time. And when news of the tragedy spreads to the entire world bringing with it devastating darkness, we are all called upon to respond.
Certainly we must take appropriate measures to ensure safety and deterrence, but generating more light is the fulfillment of our mission here on earth.
Your one single mitzvah can be the pivotal one needed to tip the scales of destiny to usher in the glorious era of redemption when grief, tragedy and tears will be wiped away forever.
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