As fires raged in Los Angeles this week, I reached out to a friend to ask how he was doing. In a short video message, he assured me he and his family were safe while showing me how close the danger was. Then he sent me the following message: Thank you for checking in. Yesterday I was calling people I know in the Pacific Palisades to check how they were doing, but did not know how it felt to get such calls. Now that I am receiving such a call, I realize it’s a good feeling. Good to know.
That night I learned an important lesson. When a friend is in crisis you do not need to have the solutions to the big problems to be helpful or relevant. Just showing up, either in person or through a phone call or text message can go a long way. If you feel self-conscious or worry about being a bother, reach out anyway. Even if there is no response to or acknowledgment of your call, your concern was noted and has a positive impact.
Today is the fast day of “Asarah B’Teves” (the Tenth of Teves), which commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by the armies of the Babylonian empire in 425 BCE. This siege eventually led to the destruction of the First Holy Temple and the first major Jewish exile from Israel two years later on “Tisha B’Av” (the Ninth of Av).
The prophet Ezekiel, who lived in exile at the time received a prophecy of this tragic event in real-time and recorded it for posterity. "Son of man, write for yourself the name of the day, this very day; the king of Babylon has besieged Jerusalem on this very day.” (Ezekiel 24:2). The Hebrew word for “besieged” in this verse is “samach” which is highly irregular since “samach” is typically used in the context of “support” which is the opposite of a siege.
By using a word with this double meaning to describe the siege the prophet is conveying to us how we can undo the “siege and destruction” of Jerusalem and end this terrible exile. Supporting each other under all circumstances, even in situations comparable to a siege, is the first step to unity. Even if we do not have the solutions to the problems, unity creates the context in which all problems can be solved.
There is an ancient Jewish saying that states “Following a fire, one becomes wealthy.” This means that harsh expressions of divine discipline are followed by divine grace and kindness. May all those directly impacted by this horrible crisis experience only blessing and success from now on, and may our strengthened unity usher in the final redemption through Moshiach, when peace and prosperity will reign for all.