WORTHINESS OF MAN

                               “It takes time to become anything worth becoming.”

 

This thought comes to mind as we approach that awesome day of Tisha B’av commemorating the destruction of our Holy Temple. The Rav said, “We need to remember the destruction but more so we need to remember  how magnificent it was when the Mikdash was standing in all of its majesty, and when Jewry  went to the Mikdash,and were a part of that Holy  experience”. 

In life we have a tendency to look at that which is negative and that which is destructive and that which is wrong.  There is a need in our day and age to be more optimistic and to observe that which is beautiful and   that which is kind and that which is understanding and that which is positive in our lives. These past few days we’ve been reading how young people took guns in hand without thought, and only with malice and hatred and began shooting and killing innocent men, women and children. This is not what life ought to be. This is truly, the Churban that we are so inundated with at the present time.

We need to begin to educate our children and grandchildren, to select priorities that enhance their lives and to be less concerned with their materialistic goals and focus more on the spiritual and humane concerns. This will prevent a narcissistic way of life that undermines the virtues of caring, kindness and especially respect for others. Our goal is to achieve the Worthiness of Life, dedicated to life’s values.

The question still remains, “Why is there so much anger and hatred in our society”?

This is the question that needs to be answered, or else we will fall deeper into the abyss of inhumanity. Our worries are exacerbated by the fact that this anger is pouring out over the streets of our country. Why are there so many leaders in our government vilifying the State of Israel and the Jewish People by their accusations that Israel is mistreating their surrounding neighbors.This hatred is venom that spreads to others, and many callously repeat these same ideas and some even go to more extreme measures, that often result in violence.  

 Please understand that my remarks may seem alarming, but this is not my intention.  My intention is to awaken in all of us a need for greater Chesbon  Hanefesh  within ourselves and within the  Jewish community in general.

 To begin with, let us focus on the first word of the Megillah that we will read on Saturday night, The word is AYCHA, “We Bewail” reflecting on how the Jewish People stand alone in our society. When this happens, we must change the word, using the exact same letters but read differently and with different meaning, AYECHA, “Where are you?” This selfsame word was used by G-D, when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden.  Hashem knew where Adam was, but wanted him to look within himself, and see what he did wrong and how he could make amends for his action and in doing so becomes a better person.

  This is so simple and yet so profound for all to consider and for all to realize that we can change the AYCHA, from bewailing our fate, to  AYECHA by changing our way of life and engendering a change in our individual personalities and behaviorisms by  aligning ourselves with our Torah and with greater  Ahavas Yisrael.   

 Let us take an important life lesson from the last words of איכה.

השיבנו ה׳ אליך ונשובה

Turn us to You Hashem,and we shall return to You

חדש ימנו כקדם

Renew our days of old

Dr. Norman Lamm, explains the word כקדם, not referring to days of old, but rather referring to the place called, קדם, the place from which Adam was expelled after he sinned. One wonders why would we want to return to a place from which we were expelled? It seems somewhat ominous?

I sense our Sages were suggesting that Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden, and their actions brought conflict and sin into their lives. It was only at this point that Hashem did them a favor and expelled them from this Garden of Eden, resulting in a better relationship between Adam and Eve, eventually building a home together, and learning a very important lesson In life, that they needed each other for survival. Their expulsion brought about a life of creativity in a world of reality.

This idea can be our important lesson in life, a life of  חדש ימנו כקדם a life of being able to face East of Eden, with courage, fortitude, and confidence and to face the world of reality making it a place for all humanity to build character and to feel the need to love G-D and to live with the love of mankind.                                                                                                  

Learning to live with Torah and יראת שמים,will enable mankind to face the realities of life in a more positive way.

The world is ours and what we do with it will depend on our efforts and on our commitment to improve and change our society from its negativity, into its positive attire, that Hashem has provided us with. אל תירא יעקב does not mean “Don’t worry, I will take care of everything.” I believe it means, “Don’t be afraid, but be courageous,” for you have the courage to be the active force in making this world a better one - a world without hate - a world of peace and a world of respect and serenity.                                                                               

We must put the word Love into the equation of Life.

Love G-D,

Love man,

Love our people,

Love our Jewish State,

Love our glorious Country,

Love our families,

Love life and live it to the fullest.

This may seem like paradise once again, and it can be with Divine help, and with our brotherly love.

 

Let us follow the words of the Navi, and turn our days of mourning into days of joy and happiness for K’lall Yisrael, and for all mankind.

 

B’nechamet Tzion