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March 27, 2020 in Guest Post, Rabbi Greg Harris
This is an extraordinary time – COVID-19, economic uncertainty, schools and businesses indefinitely closed, social distancing and isolation. As this is the fourth week of the month, Reflections Off the Bimah features thought leaders from throughout the Jewish world and beyond. These special posts give you the opportunity to consider important opinions you may not readily encounter.
Next week I will reflect on Passover and how to do / experience sedarim during social distancing. This week though, I want to share two messages of hope to help us see beyond the stresses and pressures of the immediate. First is a beautiful musical piece by Andy Grammer who is singing with the Palestinian – Israeli Jerusalem Youth Chorus (JYC), “Don’t Give Up on Me”. The JYC was founded by Micah Hendler who grew up at Beth El. (Click here to see more of Micah’s incredible work.) JYC brings together Israelis and Palestinian youth to forge common ground through music. Their music gives voice to seeing the world beyond the immediate.
The second piece is from Rabbi Chanan Morrison who has written extensively on Rav Abraham Isaac Kook (1865 – 1935), the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandate Palestine. Rav Kook’s message is to be cautious but not to fear. Morrison channels Kook’s message as finding “resilience that we need to persevere in challenging times.”
Rav Kook Torah: Cautious Yes, But No Fear
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison
In these troubling times, many are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. In the excerpt from Middot HaRe’iyah which I have translated below, Rav Kook speaks about overcoming our fears. Yes, we should be cautious. But not anxious or fearful! Fear itself makes us stumble and fall.
The key, Rav Kook wrote, is cognitive: we must raise our sights to see the big picture. We need to recognize how everything in the world, even the dangerous and disturbing, has its place. By broadening our perspective, we gain the optimism and confidence we need to overcome the crisis and avoid the pitfalls of fear.
Rav Kook concludes with a crucial point: when we study Torah, perform mitzvot and help others, we feel the special joy experienced when one is engaged in holy matters. This joy gives us ometz-kodesh, the “fortitude of holiness” and resilience that we need to persevere in challenging times.
Thus, when the distraught crowds assembled in Jerusalem broke out in tears and weeping, Ezra encouraged them, “Do not be sad, for the joy of God is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).
Our source of strength is joy and ometz-kodesh!
“הַפְּחָדִים הֵם פְּתיּוּת גְּמוּרָה. אֵין לָאָדָם לִפְחֹד כְּלָל כִּי-אִם לְהִזָּהֵר. יוֹתֵר שֶׁהוּא פּוֹחֵד הוּא נוֹפֵל, וּכְשֶׁהוּא מִתְפַּחֵד, מֵעֶצֶם הַפַּחַד בָּא לוֹ הַמִּכְשׁוֹל.”
Fears are complete foolishness. A person should not be afraid at all, just careful. The more we are afraid, the more we fall. When we are frightened, the fear itself causes us to stumble.
Therefore it is important to bolster our recognition that there is nothing to be afraid of. All images of fear are merely scattered colors of the big picture that needs to be completed. When the picture is complete, the [isolated images] will merge together and elicit a robust, tremendous trust (bitachon) that fills the soul with resolve and courage. Even the evil spirits with all of their shadow-terrors are transformed into supportive forces, gladdening and broadening the mind. Their evil and damaging quality is completely nullified, while their life-giving energy is transformed into a force that encourages us with the fortitude of holiness.
“They will obtain gladness and joy” (Isa. 35:10). “The joy of God is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).
