This week is a particularly difficult, as this week the long arm of terror again struck our shores. A Jihadi brought his hateful ideology to a dance club in Orlando, Florida, ruthlessly murdering 49 innocents and wounding more than 50 others. That is the cause of this tragedy, the rest is just a sad side show. We must not allow ourselves to become distracted by all of the competing agendas vying for our attention.
In Judaism we know that human life is considered sacred and takes precedence over the Mitzvot in the Torah. We are commanded to die rather than murder innocents (as well as commit adultery or worship idols).
I do not want to focus on the hateful ideology that led to this senseless murder. I do not want to focus on whether guns are to blame or the person pulling the trigger.
I want to focus on the appropriate reaction to this terrible event.
Wherever and whenever a tragedy would strike (especially ‘man-made’ tragedies) our Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, may his memory be a blessing, would emphasize the response and it makes perfect sense. After all, we all know that it is wiser to light a light rather than merely curse the darkness.
So how do we light a light after this horrific event?
The answer is of course by doubling and redoubling our efforts to bring the light and love of Torah into the world! In a way it is counter-intuitive. Most people are very hurt and very angry by these events, and rightfully so. Responding with love is therefore a challenge, but it is a challenge that must be met. G-d didn’t create us to live a comfortable, easy existence. No indeed. He created us to transform a lowly, crass physical world, a world where darkness often seems to dominate, into a world of G-dliness.
This is and is meant to be a struggle.
Torah and Mitzvot are an expression of G-d’s love for His choicest creation; humankind. Thinking Torah, speaking Torah, and especially living Torah is the way that He has asked us to dispel the darkness. In this model there is no room for fear, complacency, or compromise. Like any front-line soldier we have our marching orders – now is the time to march forward proudly waving our banner!
Do we want to end the suffering brought about by these horrific events and evil ideology? This is not a battle that we can outsource to others for if we do we are part of the problem. As Jews we are commanded to be part of the solution.
On a practical level we must endeavor to add in three areas of our lives; our Torah learning, our acts of kindness (Mitzvah observance), and in the service of the heart, our prayers to the Almighty.
What side are you on?
