By Rabbi Shalom M Paltiel – Chabad of Port Washington
A man says to his friend:
If Trump wins I’m leaving the country!
If Biden wins I’m leaving the country!
Whoever wins, I’m leaving! Nothing to do with anything. My wife and I decided it’s time for a vacation.
*****
People are walking around worried and stressed out over the political climate; and it’s unhealthy and unfair. To themselves mostly.
I’m sharing a thought from my Kol Nidrei sermon, where I paid tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
I admire Justice Ginsburg, not because I necessarily agree or disagree with her approach to things. I admire her because of her ability to carry on true friendships with those she totally disagrees with. Justice Ginsburg held very firm legal opinions on one side of the “political aisle”; but that it didn’t stop her from a decades-long friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, a man whose views were diametrically opposed to hers. That’s admirable, very admirable. And quite uncommon nowadays. I think we ought to take a lesson here.
Never before in my adult life do I recall anywhere near the polarized political environment we are experiencing currently. We’ve become so emotionally charged about things to the point that anyone on the other side is “obviously” deemed to be, not only wrong, but also evil… It makes one wonder, where have we gone wrong?
These two great legal minds, long time Justices on the Supreme Court of the United States, weren’t merely followers of two polar opposite schools of thought; they could’ve ‘written the book’ on their respective views. Yet, it didn’t destroy their friendship. I’d venture to say it likely enhanced it.
Great minds need not necessarily think alike. Intelligent people tend to be open and interested in new ideas, so they welcome the opportunity of hearing opposing views; what better way to sharpen one’s mind or broaden their knowledge. But when things becomes personal and petty, there’s no respect or even tolerance for another opinion. Instead, there is utter disdain, anger, even hate towards anyone harboring even a slightly different viewpoint. This isn’t kosher. It’s not ok, it’s not humane or decent; it’s certainly not Jewish.
The political process is important, and we owe it to ourselves and to our country to participate in it. However, let’s not lose perspective here. Let’s not allow politics to completely overtake our minds and hearts to the point that we are drowning in worry and anxiety, leaving no emotional energy for ourselves and our families.
Many of you have been telling me how worried sick you’ve become over this to the point that you can’t concentrate on anything else, you can’t even get a good night’s sleep. We’re taking this way too personally, allowing ourselves to become way too emotionally charged. Everyone I talk to is absolutely positive the world will come to an end on November 4th if their man didn’t win. It is affecting our health and emotional well being. In many cases it is destroying friendships, even marriages. Not good. Not good at all. And foolish too!
Dear friends, I suggest we all take a very deep breath… G-d hasn’t left the cockpit. “The hearts of kings and rulers are in the hand of G-d” (Proverbs 21:1).
Spending every extra waking hour focused on the 24-hour news cycle, making ourselves emotionally vulnerable to every news story and tweet as if the entire world depends upon it, is useless and unhealthy. Our over-obsession and constant worrying isn’t going to make a difference one way or the other. The only thing it’ll accomplish is negatively impacting our own mindset and attitude, and that of those closest to us.
*****
In my 20’s, I took a ride to Miami Beach with three friends to attend a classmate’s wedding. We arranged for a “drive-away” because it was the cheapest way to get us there. We figured it would be no problem making the long trip; with four drivers in the car, we’d each have ample time to nap.
Problem was, one of us (not me, promise…) had difficulty trusting anyone else behind the wheel so he didn’t sleep a wink. From the back seat, he kept his eye on the road the entire trip as if his safety depended upon it. What did he accomplish? Nothing at all. And he arrived grouchy, overtired and filled with anxiety and stress… Sound familiar?
*****
Our modern lives have afforded us lots of free time. Which I believe may be the culprit behind much of this overdose of misguided focus and negative energy. Judaism has a simple answer: Got time? Study Torah! Hashem gave us His book of wisdom, “the Torah of Hashem is wholesome; it restores the soul” (Psalms 19:8). Try it; see for yourself what a daily regiment of Torah study can do for your mental and emotional state.
Friends, rather than allowing ourselves to be mentally tossed in all directions, let’s take control of our attitude and frame of mind. Torah study will do that for us. Daily morning prayer will do that for us. These are life-enhancing, even life-changing activities, anytime; most especially now in 2020, a year that is testing us on so many levels.
Let’s “take back” our minds and hearts… They are our most valuable G-d given gifts.
****
The fifth Chabad Rebbe Rashab (1850-1920) was visited by two of his students from the city of Odessa, who traveled to the Rebbe for inspiration and guidance. Before returning home they each had a turn for a private audience with the Rebbe.
The first one enters the room and is asked by the Rebbe: “Vos tut zich in Odessa?” What’s happening in Odessa? To which he replies that things aren’t in a good way at all in Odessa. No one makes time for Torah study or communal prayer. Everyone is busy with their own material affairs and are living lives that are uninspired and shallow. The Rebbe blesses the man and sends him on his way.
Then the second one enters the room and the Rebbe asks him the very same question: Vos tut zich in Odessa? Tell me what’s happening in Odessa? The man’s face lights up as he begins to give a detailed account of all of the wonderful Jewish communal activity taking place. Everyone is busy studying Torah, making time for heartfelt prayer, celebrating each other’s family simchas, caring for each other’s needs with various free loan funds and visiting the sick. In a word: Odessa is inspired! The Rebbe gives the man a broad smile, along with a gold coin to help with expenses.
When the man leaves the room and his friend realizes what happened, the first man walks back into the Rebbe’s study, unannounced, demanding to know why he didn’t get the gold coin. Why was he being penalized for telling the truth while his friend chose to embellish it? This isn’t fair!
The Rebbe looked deeply into the man’s eyes and said to him: “I know full well what the situation is in Odessa. I didn’t need you nor your friend to tell me what’s going on there. My question to each of you was merely this: In which Odessa are you living? one of cold self-centeredness, or one of meaning and inspiration.”
Friends, 2020 has been a challenging year, that’s for sure! It’s testing us in ways we haven’t been prepared for, with the pandemic, the riots, and one of the most tense election cycles of our lifetimes. But when we look back at it in years to come, we’ll each be able to ask ourselves: In which 2020 did I live? Did I live in a 2020 of despair and anxiety, or did I choose to live a 2020 focused more on what really matters in life, realigning my values and deepening my relationships with G-d, my own neshama-soul, and those nearest and dearest to me!
*****
As for what will be, I for one think it’s gonna be good! I’m doubly optimistic because the Rebbe predicted so. That’s right! Back in 1990 (!) he wrote prophetically in an edited published essay, predicting this year, 5781, to be a transformative year of miraculous blessings for the world! So buckle up and get ready for good things to happen.
TRACHT GUT VET ZEIN GUT – THINK GOOD & IT’LL BE GOOD! Let’s keep it positive and light. Hashem is in charge. We need to do our part, but there’s no place no for worry!
Well said “Think good it will be good “Have a great day!!!!!!
Let’s read this again and again!
Thank you for this uplifting article and refocusing our energy on what really matters.
Your positive words of encouragement are really needed in these times when all we hear is negativity.
Very well written.
Our intense polarization is a product of uncertainty. In a world rapidly changing as a result of technological advancement, novel viruses spreading like wildfire, and economies seesawing with abandon, retreating to the safety of false certainty has become our safe space.
Unfortunately, todays modern day carnival barkers have cynically exploited all of this uncertainty to pit people against each other with their political Color War.
Red team good! Blue team bad!
Don’t fall for it.
Your self blindness is unbelievable. What about the blue team good red team bad folk, no need to point them out? The left compares everyone they don’t like to hit ler… did you ever see the right so that to Obama? I remember when they started doing it to Bush and I thought it was ridiculous, long term it helped them solidify their hate. The left wants to shut down voices they don’t agree with while supporting a group called anti fascists… the irony is overwhelming. Your comment would have been so much better had it been free of bias,… Read more »
Ah the right famously never compared Obama to Hitler. Just goldfish memory here.
Missed the point. Your intense polarization failed to let you see the commenter was just using it as an example. The other example would be just as effective.
Beautifully expressed! With toichen
I would love to believe that all will be fine, no matter who wins. HaShem is in charge! Yet I witnessed firsthand the attempt (and some success) at harm the Biden supporters had at the Jews4Trump car parade. As I drove in the parade, my car was struck multiple times with eggs and rocks! My windshield was chipped (thankfully not smashed) and my car dented from the assault. No arrests, no penalties. Now that violence is legal, I guess I should just sit back and watch.
His point is not that there is nothing to worry about, it makes sense to be concerned. Rather that our worrying will not change reality in a positive way. Think positive, trust in the One above, and all will be better in your personal life with less anxiety.
If you have something practical you can do to help the situation, do that too. But worrying – no.
I enjoyed reading your very well written letter at 2 a.m. and now Im going to have a good nights sleep.
Thank you Yasher Koach Rabbi Paltiel!
#TRUMP2020
a breath of fresh air
Exactly what I need to hear!
How can any frum Jew laud and praise Ruth Ginsberg. She supported the murder of hundreds of thousands of babies. Would you be raise a friendly cultured Nazi who ordered babies murdered. She supported same gender marriage which brought upon the world Noachs flood. Shame shame shame on any yid who does not vote Trump
Looks like you missed the point of the entire article. Look up from your bubble, take a deep breath and realize that there are things more important than politics. (Also Halachicly, abortion is not murder. It has a different legal definition. While not allowed “on demand”, there are many instances where it is not only recommended but required for the health of the mother. Being allowed legal access to abortion when called for by Torah is a GOOD thing. We don’t let women die from pregnancy like in other countries where abortion is illegal. This also doesn’t mean we support… Read more »
For a ben noach abortion is murder and in most cases for a jew its murder as well.
People going for abortion are not asking a rabbi if its ok. Ruth ginsburg had rulings totally against halacha and would have had more if she stayed on. She should have just retired. This election determines the fate of the usa and the world. If biden wins you know it wont be safe to stay in usa. The rebbe spoke of the importance of voting
There are exactly zero countries that would let the mom die because they didn’t allow abortions.
Think how silly that is since the baby would die as well.
Learn that and R Moshe Feinstein referred to abortion as shfichas damim
While the term “paying tribute” to Ruth Ginsburg might be pushing it in my opinion, it is still appropriate to learn a lesson from a good quality she possessed. איזהו חכם הלומד מכל אדם
TRACHT GUT VET ZEIN GUT
TRUMP 2020!!
4 MORE YEARS
Great article Rabbi Paltiel, thank you!
Slight correction; the Rebbe note addresses the great blessings connoted in the order of the 2 letters פ”א, versus the same 2 lettes written in the reverse order, the note does not deal with a specific year nor any prediction.
With G-d’s help, this year of פ”א should a great year, the greatest year, with the coming of Moshiach now!
Another one let’s get along one. We don’t live in a polarized environment. We live with an increasingly ascendant revolutionary left wing movement who brooks no disagreement and is willing to do anything to advance their program. They ARE the ones who removed the senate filibuster for judicial appointments and they ARE the ones who are advocating for the destruction of one of our 3 branches of Government, particularly the only one that protects the people from Government overreach. They ARE the ones rioting in the streets and beating and sometimes murdering people on the other side of the political… Read more »
The reality here should be clear to our esteemed elder Chassidim who escaped from Communist Russia. The program and behavior of the “progressive” Marxist Left in the United States is no different than the same program and behavior before and during the Russian revolution…and would have the same result, chas v’sholom. It has been “Americanized” only in words — to make it more acceptable, the better to deceive.
If Biden wins, that’s what G-d wants. Moshiach is coming. Get ready
That’s what I said when trump won
Please share more often.
Super powerfull!
Thank you, thank you Rabbi Paltiel for putting this into words and sharing!