By Rabbi Levi Shemtov – Jewish Journal
We don’t know for sure how and when the current COVID-19 crisis will end, but as real conversations begin about reopening establishments and institutions, some contemplation is appropriate.
The world will probably sing a similar tune but on a different note − what my musician friends call “modulation” − as we build a new civilization, hopefully on a higher plane than we’ve been before.
As some call for new attention to climate change, this, too, can be considered in a spiritual and communal context, making more permanent the “enhanced climate” with “cleaner air” − of understanding and selflessness − we have seen by so many, especially first responders, during this trying time. When we do that, we not only will feel better, we will be better.
The unprecedented governmentally and rabbinically mandated shuttering of synagogues and communal infrastructure everywhere have caused prayer and Torah study to increase yet simultaneously plunge us without notice into a personal dimension never quite experienced before. Each individual or family has had to create their own designated spiritual spaces.
As a result of this sudden social distancing and isolation, many of us now certainly know a lot we didn’t know before. At the very least, we know ourselves better, more deeply, and are more aware of what we truly care about and who truly cares about us.
We will slowly return to normal – whatever that word will mean – at some point, but until then, the opportunity for some very real introspection and proximation to our loved ones and to G-d as a result of even this experience is spiritually welcome and conducive.
Like Noah in the times of the biblical flood, we, too, have in a sense built ourselves an ark over the past number of weeks. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of sacred memory, reminds us of the dual meaning of the Hebrew word “teivah,” or ark, to also mean “word” – namely, the words of Torah and prayer. When the figurative storms and floods hit, we head for shelter in that ark, those “words” that provide us the refuge we need.
But when that flood ends and those torrential rains subside, we need to take the cue and “exit” the ark, or in this case, the “word,” and the comfort it was able to provide and “take it with us.” One can’t stay sheltered forever.
We need to go back out into our world and our routine, as it were, and get to rebuilding civilization. If we do know one thing, it is that the world we face will not be the same as before, in very real terms. Sure, the roads, buildings and other infrastructures survive, but we and our world are different and will remain so for a while.
Having done without so many previously perceived necessities for weeks or more, some things will become all but obsolete. Relationships and priorities will reshuffle into a new order of priority. Watching so many people pass so suddenly from among us certainly gives us pause, individually and collectively. Too many watched relatively healthy friends and relatives felled by the coronavirus, suddenly unable to even breathe properly, then just literally taken from us in a matter of days.
King David concludes the Book of Psalms (150:6) proclaiming, “May every soul praise the L-rd,” The Hebrew word for soul, “neshama,” is also the root for the word “neshima,” or breath. With every breath, life continues every day, 7 billion times around the world, every few seconds. When that is taken from someone, especially suddenly, life stops quickly. Let us then cherish every breath we are fortunate to take, better appreciating He who gives it to us and what we are expected to do with the life force it enables.
My father once told me about a bird he saw flying around an empty storefront near his office. He wondered how the bird survived in there. After some time, he noticed it merely hopping somewhat, unable to make it very far. He called the owner to alert him that the little bird seemed to be suffering in his store. When he came to unlock the place, the all-but-dead-looking bird, barely able to move, shuffled itself to the open door, summoning its last strength, and with a breath of the new fresh air, just flew away! Yes, we’ve been cooped up, losing our routines, and some people their very minds. A friend of mine who is a mental health professional reports skyrocketing prescriptions for medications to treat panic, anxiety and depression. He senses the sudden lack of control heretofore secure people feel is taking a heavy toll quickly.
But the breath of fresh air is coming, and it’s time to muster our new strength when it comes, and fly.
The biblical Noah is the father of all mankind today, as all who lived at the time of the great flood in his time were destroyed. We might take his cue to be bold and unafraid. The Torah notes that Noah, who was so great, he even walked with G-d, was great “in his time.”
Actually, the Sages teach it cuts both ways. Either he was great despite all the immorality and idolatry of his time, or he was great only because of the contemporary dereliction of his day, but he would not have been as prominent in the time of say, Abraham, who acted with greater alacrity and without query to G-d’s will. Abraham also reached out to all those whom he met while they were spiritually unaware, with openness and kindness, enlightening them with love and compassion, introducing them to sanctity.
It is important to be aware of Noah’s promptly “planting a vine” and “drinking the wine” soon after the flood ended, bringing him pain, and ensure that we avoid the intoxication and missteps that can also follow the giddy relief of returning to (even the new) normal.
It is perhaps better to embrace the Abrahamic path, seeking the way to be more open and honest and kind and faithful, and help bring the world closer to an undisputed G-dly awareness and greatness like Abraham did (which Noah, despite his noted piety, sadly did not).
We will thus persevere until the day soon comes when we see the ultimate fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham by his and our creator, and get to that ultimate “normal” we have prayed for over the course of painful millennia, with the world redeemed and sorrow forever gone.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov is the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) in Washington, D.C. His upcoming book, “Capital Sparks,” is scheduled for release in early 2021.
Fantastic insight! Yasher koach!
Amein
Kein yehi ratzon keheref aiyin
Ushering in, a new world order
With the coming of
Moshiach
Tzidkeinu!
It should be NOW!
Everybody has got reams full of pages filled with suggestions about how the world should be different when this is over. But unless individual people change, starting with the people who have all the ideas for how the world should change, we are gonna go right back to our smallness and pettiness. And it will be a shame.
How about you say who you are, what you mean, and how you are going to change?
Why the reticence to say what you mean – when you write that the time of the fulfilment made to Avraham, “to get to that ultimate normal” – by saying that you must intend to mean – the redemption with Moshiach. (And Moshiach, being our Rebbe. ) The Rebbe said to proclaim – like the bells on the me’il of the Kohen Gadol’s coat, announced he was coming – to say out loud. Being reticent now, to proclaim – what was the Rebbe’s “koch” (to bring the redemption, since he was 3 years old, he said) – is old fashioned.… Read more »
The Rebbe of Righteous Memory focused our attention on the “imminent” arrival of Moshiach , however he in no way entertained self promotion, he wanted every Jew to believe, really believe, that Moshiach was on his way now.
Until G-d sends Moshiach,( and no one knows exactly when and who that will be) we should concentrate on the Creators “blueprint” of Torah and Mitzvos as our Rebbeim teach us.
I commend the OpEd Rabbi Shemtov wrote for the Jewish Journal.
Very true. May we not be scared to tell the world the Rebbes life mission and his goal for us to proudly usher in Moshiach. Let’s not be scared to tell the world what we are here for- to make the world for the coming of moshiach, may he come NOW!!!
Ad Mosai!!!!
A beautiful and profound essay. I love your analogy to the locked-in bird. It is indeed a unique opportunity for transformation. We must constantly remind ourselves that G-d Al-Mighty has brought this pandemic upon us for a reason and it is good. Wishing all of Klal Yisroel the insight and tools to prepare now for the ultimate redemption. May we all fulfill our special roles in its hastening. I can’t wait for that breath “of new fresh air!”
thank you for this beautiful and invigorating article. as someone for whom social interactions take effort, your article really helps motivate me to be ready to go back into the world again.
Keep it up!
Thank you!
May it all happen very soon!!!
Definitely interesting however, my local Chabad Rabbi says this is all a preparation to the final “geulah”- the redemption and he explained to us how the late Rebbe obm told us to see major events happening currently as G-d’s glory slowly being revealed, through his “shechina” manifesting itself into our mundane reality. So Rabbi Shemtov, how does your view on this fit with the life message and goal of the Rebbe obm that all our days and all we experience is a step closer to the “geula”? Otherwise, thanks for this great thought provoking piece and awaiting your response. Thanks… Read more »
Your perpective is right on. Y Kutner