On Tuesday at ten o'clock in the morning, I sat down in my chair in the studio. I checked the headphones and the microphone. I went through the lineup and everything seemed ready and set: Rebbetzin Yemima would say words of encouragement about the situation. A social worker would teach us how to deal with anxiety. And a child psychologist would say what and how to say or how to calm the children.
Everything seems clear to me and I'm ready with a story about Noah and the flood and the land filled with chaos. I wait for the news to end and even clear my throat to make sure the broadcast starts properly and goes up nicely. Ten minutes later and nothing was clear anymore. I turn to Kobe from the scene of the first attack and move on to Benzi from the second scene, until Bezalel takes matters into his own hands. The matters are, among other things, the microphone, the headphones, and along the way, the studio.
I came in well. As with any program, but I left a little less well, to say the least. I did not pretend to broadcast this broadcast. Broadcasting from the scene of a terrorist attack, especially during an attack, requires special responsibility and caution. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, I have not gained experience in this field.
Return to normal
What is the best way to find respite from the flood of terrorist attacks that have swept the country over the past two weeks and especially at the beginning of this week? As always, I am looking for the answer in this week's parashah.
The parasha deals largely with the flood and the Ark. The holy Baal Shem Tov says, "Come to the Ark," that the person who wants to be saved from the flood of trials that are outside, should come to the Arks of Torah and prayer. This is the shelter. This is the best protection.
I don't know if you also noticed the decrease in the number of attacks with the beginning of winter time in the holy yeshivas. This is the best way to find rest. To do what Noah did. To come to the Torah arks and pray.
We have gone through quite a few difficult times here in Israel. Times of bereavement and wars. During one of these times, the Rebbe suggested to a man who wrote to him that he was worried that he should check his tefillin and mezuzot and commit to reciting chapters 1 and 5 of Tehillim every day for the coming year. And most importantly: that he should continue to behave as usual in order to make clear to himself and others the confidence that God, the Holy One, is protecting the children of Israel.
Terrorist attack videos
Note that God instructs Noah to bring two by two, or seven by seven, into the ark. The Torah changes its language and adds a few words ("Of every clean animal... seven by seven, male and his wife, and of every animal Which is not pure, ", two years for a man and his wife"). These words added here are intended to remind us, right at the beginning of the study of the five books of the Torah, that we should speak with a clean tongue. As long as it is possible to avoid mentioning impurity, we should do so.
It reminds me of the distant days when I searched through candles for clothes, toys and games for my little children. Clothes and games that did not have pictures of impure animals on them. Because that is what the Rebbe commanded. That infants and toddlers should not be exposed to impure sights that could affect the soul.
Eventually, I even started a children's clothing company, which emblazoned its banner with appliqués with flowers, ducks, and hearts instead of unclean animals... but that's a topic for a column in itself.
And why am I telling you this? Because recently, "hot" videos from the attacks have been circulating on social media. Videos with content that is harmful to the soul, especially the soul of small children. The Torah changed and added words so as not to write a single word "impure." Of course, we must find every way to keep our eyes and mouth clean.
And you won't turn
And in the same matter. Noah leaves the ark and plants a vineyard. He drinks from the fruit of the grapes and gets drunk. As sometimes happens to people who are intoxicated, he is unaware of his actions and thus finds himself lying without modesty. Ham rushes to report the incident to his brothers. (Ham. Well, the source of modern-day terrorists). They, for their part, rush to cover their father without looking at him. They, on the other hand, guard their father's eyes and honor.
We all know the rest of the story. Ham receives a warm and heartfelt "blessing." "Cursed is Ham. A slave of slaves will be to his brother." True. You can't always control your eyes. Of course, you can't walk around with your eyes closed. But everyone knows the difference between looking and seeing. The Torah warns, "And you shall not turn," because if you have already seen, don't look. Look away.
Pay attention to the wording. "And they went back. And they did not see their father's nakedness." It is clear that those who go back cannot see. Why does the Torah bother to add "and they did not see their father's nakedness?" To teach us that those who do not look, do not see either. Certainly not looking.
And again, regarding the horrors (images and videos) that affect the soul. Today, with the technological ability to transmit a Torah lesson from one side of the world to the other in speech and in HD quality, the possibility of being exposed to harmful images has also been created. And this should be avoided and certainly not "searched" for.
fromWhat about the Arabs?
And if you ask what can be done, we are in a state of helplessness, of confusion and embarrassment, and fear of what will come next. The answer is that there is no connection between the distribution of horror videos and a sense of well-being. On the contrary, every such video increases the level of anxiety and stress.
We have only one way, and that is to follow the paths of our ancestors. The voice is the voice of Jacob. The voice of Jacob is not a death cry for the Arabs. The voice of Jacob is the voice of the Torah. The voice of prayer. The voice of the Psalms. This will lower the level of anxiety, reduce threats, and increase the sense of security.
We do not know why God has brought us through this trial. We only know that God wants us to return to Him with a whole heart and do His will to make this world a place worthy of welcoming our righteous Messiah and the Third Temple, for 'then I will turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one shoulder.' Soon in our days, Amen!
•Part of the column is based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The author is the owner of "My Choice", an event host, lecturer and radio broadcaster: [email protected]
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
