Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - November '20

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the rabbis

Taking the OY out of Your surgery from which he quickly recovered. mean holding elected officials accountable for their votes,
actions, and laws.
Having hit rock bottom, Professor Myers called the

AnnOYing Mask! Rebbe’s office in New York and was speaking to Rabbi The Talmudic sage Rabbi Zera states, “Even though
Hodakov, one of the Rebbe’s secretaries. “Why is this people will not accept it, you should rebuke them (Talmud,
By Rabbi Dovid Vigler happening to me?” he complained. “Why me?” Shabbat 55a).” We can never be sure that our words
Nobody likes wearing Suddenly, the Rebbe’s voice was heard on the line. and actions will be ineffective. That is why the only
masks. They’re itchy and Unbeknownst to him, the Rebbe himself had been silently responsible approach is to try our best. As Rabbi Tarfon’s
uncomfortable, not to mention listening to his call. In Yiddish, the Rebbe then said, “Vibald famous formulation in the Mishna states, “It is not your
inducing claustrophobia. as er iz nisht geven besimcha oif Purim!”—“Because he was obligation to complete the task. But neither are you free
But we wear them because not joyous on Purim!” From that day on, the Meyers home to desist from it.”
we care about other people. in Amsterdam became famous for its joy, especially on the Not all protest is successful. Speaking truth to power does
We’re being kind to people festival of Purim. And indeed, slowly but surely their fortunes not mean that you get the results you want. But it does mean
who can’t even see our faces! turned around as well. that we don’t accept the normalization of evil. Moreover,
Now we know how G-d Even when you feel alone and abandoned, Hashem is right there are times when a person must continue to protest in
feels. He’s endowed us with there with you, hiding in plain sight. He is embracing and order to avoid being corrupted themselves.
all the blessings we’ve ever loving you then, too. But he is hiding behind his mask. Your A man stood at the entrance of Sodom crying out against
experienced, yet He remains hidden behind a veil. We can’t sadness pushes Him away, but your conscious decision to be the injustice and evil in that city. Someone passed by and
see Him and He rarely gets the credit from us. joyous, despite it all, will lift the veil and allow his loving said to him, “For years you have been urging the people to
Now that we know how suffocating masks can be, we smile to radiate upon you like the rising sun! repent, and yet no one has changed. Why do you continue?”
yearn to be able to be free of them. With G-d too, if we could Though we are living in tumultuous times, we encourage He responded: “When I first came, I protested because I hoped
only encourage Him to remove His mask and reveal Himself you to quit worrying and start winning. Cease reacting and to change the people of Sodom. Now I continue to cry out,
to all of us, we’d experience the full glory of his presence and start “proacting.” Smile to Hashem with pure joy so that He because if I don’t, they will have changed me.”
the unlimited flow of blessings that come along with it. Like can smile back at you, too. And don’t forget to dance like Rabbi Paul Arberman is spiritual leader at Temple Beth
a loving parent, G-d yearns for a meaningful, deep, and open nobody’s watching! David in Palm Beach Gardens
relationship with us, but He allows us to call the shots and Rabbi Dovid Vigler is spiritual leader at Chabad of Palm
make the first move. The connection is only formed when Beach Gardens and host of the Jewish Schmooze Radio Show.
and how we want it. Email him at rabbi@jewishgardens.com
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When <#<
we frown at G-d, He responds in kind. When we smile to Getting in Good Trouble
Hashem, He smiles back at us! King David captures this
dynamic in Psalms when describing G-d as “our shadow.” By Rabbi Paul Arberman your
He responds to our every move just like your shadow follows From its beginning, Editorial copy appearing herewith is not necessarily the viewpoint of
you everywhere. Indeed, the Zohar, the Book of Kaballah, Judaism protested against Seabreeze Publications of Central Florida. Most editorial copy is created by
captures this truth with the following mystic meditation: greed, injustice, and the the homeowners and is edited by their appointed editor.
“The Lower World is always ready to receive and is called misuse of power. Abraham,
a precious stone. The Upper World only gives it (the Lower the first Jew, smashed the
World) according to the state of the Lower World. If it’s (the idols of his father, although
Lower World’s) state is of a bright countenance from below, his action challenged the
in the same manner it is shone upon from above; but if it is common beliefs of the time. impact
in sadness, it is correspondingly given judgment. He established the precedent
Similarly, it is written, “Serve G-d with joy! Because that a Jew should not conform Seabreeze Publications
human joy draws another supernal joy. Thus, just as the to society’s values when they Publisher
Lower World is crowned, so it draws from above.” are evil. Later he even challenged God, exclaiming, “Shall M. Sean Reid
While contemporary wisdom about happiness is that joy not the Judge of all the earth do justly?” (Genesis 18:25). Jackie Reid
By contrast, Noah, though personally righteous, was later
is the result of success, the profound revelation of Torah is the immorality of the society around him. during COVID-19 & economic
Editor
that joy is actually the very cause of success. Don’t be happy rebuked by the Talmudic sages because he failed to criticize Wendy Bernstein
when you have what you need; be happy so that you’ll get
what you need! That’s why I liked the words of Congressman John crisis
Sales
Professor Daniel Myers teaches anthropology in Lewis, who passed away this year: “Get in good trouble, Tom English, Laura Berrio
Amsterdam. Despite his elevated academic position, he wears necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.” John Bret McCormick
his Judaism proudly with yarmulke and tzitzis at all times, Lewis made this statement on the Edmund Pettus Bridge
both on and off campus. We know some of his kids. in Selma, Alabama, on March 1, 2020, commemorating Production Department
At one point in his life, he and his wife were struggling to the tragic events of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, when Elaine Donholt • Ruth Nekoranec • Katie Heystek
make ends meet. They simply weren’t making enough money peaceful protesters were beaten by law enforcement officers Sherry Whalon • Dianne Strout
to feed their family. When a Jewish neighbor callously handed for crossing the bridge. Karen Kalisz • Peter Hurth • Rachel Blanchard
them an envelope “for the poor” with just two euros inside to The 600-person civil rights march was actually about All rights reserved. Reproduction or utilization of these contents in any
“fulfill the mitzvah of Purim,” they were devastated and both police brutality. Jimmie Lee Jackson, a 26-year-old church form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, including xerography and
photocopying is forbidden without the written permission of the Publisher.
Together, generous people in our community
fell into a depression. As if things couldn’t get any worse, the deacon, was killed by James Bonard Fowler, a state trooper The Publisher is not responsible or liable for misinformation or misprints
very next day after Purim, Professor Myers needed to see the in Alabama. This march also occurred a year and a half after herein contained and reserves the right to accept or reject all copy deemed
donated an astounding $1.3 million
dentist for an emergency treatment. He made arrangements the famous March on Washington, highlighting that little had unsuitable for publication.
for his older son to pick up his young daughter from the changed in the lives of Black people in America. www.seabreezepublications.com
to Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s
playgroup so that he could see the dentist. While on the chair, What does it mean to get in good trouble? It does not 1102 W. Indiantown Rd., Suite 5, Jupiter, FL 33458
he heard ambulance sirens and intuitively was gripped with mean and should never mean resorting to violence. However,
J-Help Coronavirus Emergency Response.
fear. He jumped out of the chair crying out, “It’s my kids! I it can mean peaceful displays of resistance, like holding (561) 746-3244
have to go downstairs!” Indeed, a police car had hit his two rallies, marches, and sit-ins. It does mean holding voting FAX (561) 746-2509
children. His daughter was unharmed, but his son needed registration drives or helping people get to the polls. It does
emergency cash thousands check-in calls online Jewish
assistance for of meals to offer mental education
families struggling for frail health support, and activities
to afford meals, seniors and financial assistance for children
1 in 3 local Jewish adults
medicine or rent. vulnerable people. & basic necessities. and families.
are in a worse financial situation
than before the pandemic.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 561.684.1991
our
jewish community or visit our resource page jewishpalmbeach.org/coronavirus.
If you are able to contribute,
your meaningful gift will provide
is providing interested in fueling our work?
financial assistance for those in need.
emergency visit jewishpalmbeach.org/donate.
Visit jewishpalmbeach.org/contribute.

financial assistance

to help families

get through this crisis.

jv_oct20impact_1025x4_ver3.indd 1 10/23/20 11:54 AM