Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - June '20

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

From the Rabbis from page 3 LocaL happenings
Change the World by Jewish Volunteer Center

Changing Your Words Provides Vital Support,

By Rabbi Dovid Vigler Opportunities for Acts of
Quarantine is nothing
new. It’s one of the Kindness
subjects of the Torah. But,
as opposed to Covid-19, To address the
this one was self-inflicted. immediate and critical
In biblical times, if needs of the community,
someone spoke lashon Jewish Federation of
hara, gossip or slander, Palm Beach County’s
about other people, he Jewish Volunteer Center
was afflicted with a skin (JVC) has been at the
disease called tzaraas that forefront of creating
would force him to be quarantined for up to three weeks. opportunities for the
This is probably the most humiliating consequence of all community to share
the sins in the Torah, and we wonder why. What’s the big kindness and support,
deal? After all, it’s just words! all while observing
But in reality, our power of speech is capable of creating health and safety
a more profound effect than we might ever imagine. re c om m e nda t i ons. platforms — during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Did you know that “abra cadabra” originates in Founded with the In a partnership with the Education Foundation of Palm
Hebrew? It means, “I create through my speech,” playing mission to demonstrate Beach County and Federation’s Anne and Sam Klein
on the biblical account of Creation through G-d’s words. the Jewish value of Literacy Program, nine educators received boxes filled
Indeed, having been created in the image of G-d, we too are tikkun olam (Hebrew with much-needed books and supplies to best serve their
able to create through our speech. In fact, what defines us students and their classrooms. JVC supported the effort,
as humans, according to Jewish philosophy, is our ability donating books to the schools and providing gift cards to
to communicate verbally in ways that no other creature each teacher.
can. It’s no surprise that the very First Amendment of this JVC also rallied the community to give back in various
great country is our Freedom of Speech. and inspiring ways, often in partnership with Jewish
Words are like seeds. You are where you are today and secular organizations. Among the most successful,
because of what you’ve been saying about yourself. Your community members made videos sending well wishes to
words become your reality. the senior residents at MorseLife who had not had visitors
The Torah tells us that “a covenant was made with in months. JVC also led other coordinated check-in calls to
our lips,” that our words will be self-fulfilling prophecies. isolated older adults via the new Community Cares Phone
Our words have the power to lift moods and change Tree; led a Pack a Wish challenge where people packed
attitudes. We can see this clearly whenever we speak about up clothing to donate along with messages of kindness
something or someone; we tend to become more emotional to the recipients; and JVC empowered local residents to
about that person or idea, far more than if we would have create and share acts of kindness across social media.
simply thought about it. If you’re not sure, just ask any for “repair the world”), the JVC also quickly created “The response we have received during these trying
Italian or Jewish mother. a comprehensive web presence with ways those of all times has been extraordinary. While it’s completely
Our kabalists explain that most often we don’t see the ages in the community could volunteer, spread kindness, understandable to feel powerless during this pandemic,
consequence of our speech, but on a spiritual level, the and help the vulnerable in our community — all in in I am incredibly proud how those of all ages have rallied
words themselves have a profound impact on the subject partnership with Jewish and secular organizations; the site together to help members of our community who need
discussed. is located at jewishpalmbeach.org/volunteerprojects2020. it most during such a challenging time,” shared Juliana
When the saintly Baal Shem Tov once heard a Jew Most recently, JVC brought the community together Gendelman, chair of the JVC. “I couldn’t be more proud
threatening to “flay his fellow like a fish,” he asked his in partnership with Operation Gratitude over Memorial of the work of the JVC and Federation who are helping
holy disciples to close their eyes and form a circle. As they Day weekend to thank our service men and women. countless individuals and families in need.”
closed the circle, they all started to scream as they saw this Community members knit and crocheted scarves and To become a volunteer or view a complete list of
fellow actually flaying his fellow in a spiritual dimension. hats, made paracord bracelets (also known as “survival volunteer projects, activities, and community programs,
Indeed, every word makes an impact, whether we see it in bracelets”) and handmade cards for our troops, and more. jewishvolunteer.org.
this physical world or on a more spiritual plane. To end the school year, JVC also helped to celebrate
This idea is also known as “not opening one’s mouth to nine local teachers for their stellar achievements — in the Local Happenings on page 5
Satan.” Jewish Law rules that a person should never speak classroom and through all the newly introduced digital
negatively about himself, as this can cause him harm. This
is why your bubby would always say “pu pu pu” when she
praised you. She wanted to mitigate the praise so that it
wouldn’t arouse any unwelcome and unnecessary attention
to her darling. She might have even adoringly called you a
“miyuskeit,” which means “an abomination,” because she
wanted to lead any envious influences away from you.
With this in mind, we can understand the tremendous
damage caused to others and more importantly to ourselves
when we slander others or even gossip about them. The
Torah’s quarantine is thus the perfect opportunity for the
speaker of lashon hara to contemplate on the impact of
their words and to speak more mindfully in future.
I was surprised to hear that there is one country in
Europe whose Jewish population actually increased during
the Holocaust. Though Albania is the only majority Muslim
country on the continent, it refused to turn over the lists
of Jewish names to the Nazi occupiers and, in fact, forged
documents to protect the Jews. The Jewish population
went from 200 Jews to nearly 2,000 by the time the war
was over!
This remarkable feat was due to the fact that the highest
ethical code in Albania is “besa,” which means, “honoring
your word.” One who acts according to besa is someone
who keeps his word, someone to whom one can trust one’s
life and the lives of one’s family.
During our quarantine, too, let us be mindful of our
words and their awesome power to mold our future and
destiny. Rather than utter some choice curse words when
frustrated, let’s say something positive.
Our words will change the world!
Wishing you a month of besa!
Rabbi Dovid Vigler is spiritual leader at Chabad of
Palm Beach Gardens and host of the Jewish Schmooze
Radio Show. Email him at rabbi@jewishgardens.com.