Relating to the ongoing global crisis
Global events are speaking to us
The world is speaking to us. But in truth, our community– the Charedi community, has not been educated to listen. We educate for Torah only. That is the topic of all the shmussen: Torah, and more Torah, and a little Chesed, and more Torah, and so on. We deal with Torah to the exclusion of the outside world. This has been a relatively effective approach in guarding the public from the dangerous temptations found outside the “Beis Medrash”. But what we are seeing now, with the shooting in Montreal, with increased antisemitism, is that the outside world is entering our world and confronting us. This requires a response. The world is clearly speaking to us, like it or not.
Unfamiliar ground
This is not something that is taught today in Yeshivos. There was a time when it was. When the Nazis ym”s rose to power, Rav Yerucham spoke about it. And when laws were passed against Shechita, he spoke. The talmidim learnt how to approach world events in an intelligent and deep way, from the vantage point of Torah.
The second side of the coin is that our inner world is “impoverished”, so when a bochur does hear a message from the outside world, he enjoys little “freedom of movement”. So very often, he gets nervous as he interprets the message to be that he should leave Yeshiva to go out to work, etc. When you enjoy a rich inner world, you understand that there are many things which can change, aside from leaving Yeshiva.
An inner dimension
Hakadosh Baruch Hu is not concerned solely with our actions. The פנימיות is very important to him. During the tragic פלגש בגבעה episode, 80,000 Jews died. The Ramban writes that this was Hashem’s response because Yisroel was willing to wage a war for the honor of their Beis Din, but not against פסל מיכה, which was a matter of the Honor of Heaven. Meaning that the actual action, that they fought against the tribe of Binyamin was acceptable. But the פנימיות of the matter was problematic. The comparison to פסל מיכה highlighted an “inner” problem.
We have to understand that when the world speaks to us, it doesn’t mean that we need to leave Yeshiva or Kollel. But something “inside us” should change.
The message of antisemitism- affirming Jewish identity
How is the world speaking to us? We are experiencing all over the world, America included, an incredible amount of antisemitism. It’s crazy and illogical, but it’s very present.
Where is this antisemitism pushing us? It’s forcing upon the Jewish people their identity as Jews. People are presenting themselves as such: “I don’t really identify as a Jew, but recent events are forcing that identity upon me.”
Many years ago, Rav Shach gave a famous speech, and he challenged the secular Jews in Israel: “By what are you Jewish?!” He was challenging the lack of Torah observance: “Rabbit eaters!” That challenge is not really the sugya now: they are Jewish because the gentiles are forcing them. They belong to a besieged nation.
What makes us Jewish
But it’s still an important question: “By what are you Jewish?” I believe we have to ask that question of ourselves as well. Now, of course, we are Jewish because of Torah and Mitzvos. That’s non-negotiable. But there is something beyond Mitzvos. The Jewish soul is such that it enables Torah and Mitzvos. The question is a challenge which relates to our inner selves.
One logical place to start is where a non-Jew cannot enter. The Rambam writes that a non-Jew can observe most Mitzvos, and he receives a reward for that. The Radvaz explains that a non-Jew cannot keep the Mitzvos which relate specifically to Kedusha, such as Tefillin and Shabbos. Meaning that these two mitzvos are uniquely suitable only for the Jew. What is it about these Mitzvos?
Being together with Hashem
The common denominator between tefillin and Shabbos is that both of these Mitzvos underline the מציאות that the person is together with Hashem. I’ll explain.
Tefillin is “שם ה’ נקרא עליך”- the Name of Hashem is called upon you. Since there are women in the audience, we won’t spend a lot of time on this point.
On Shabbos, we rest, because Hashem rested. Now, typically we relate to the Borei Olam in how He relates to us, the world. But when Hashem “rested”, He was so to speak drawing back, and not interacting with the world. At that point He was “by Himself”- what do we have to do with that? We see that a Jew “sits together” with the Borei Olam.
I want to share with you an anecdote. When I was young, I won first place in the young scientists contest in Switzerland. There was afterwards a festive meal- and I sat at the meal right across from the President. Seated next to me was a brilliant biologist named Portman. He was so accomplished, that even today, his work is still considered relevant. I did not share with him a word. I regret that until this day! What a missed opportunity. Now, let me ask a question: I sit next to the Borei Olam every Shabbos! Do I speak to him? This entire element of being together with the Borei Olam is off my radar. How am I Jewish?! Of course, I keep Shabbos, but do I sit together with the Borei Olam? That’s where the non-Jew cannot enter. A non-Jew can keep his food on a hot plate, but he cannot sit with the Borei Olam. Do you?
This is an “inner” reaction. I’m not telling you to change your life. But something is moving inside of you.
