We are plunged into a world we have never imagined. Many are gripped by fear, anxiety, and disbelief. The unknown is frightening. We must cope with worries – physical, financial, emotional. Parents are distressed for their children, and children distressed for their parents. How long can we go on like this?
Every time the phone pings with news updates, there is another dent in our mental armor. We are depleted. How can we find the strength and positivity to overcome our challenges?
Though we do not have prophets to speak to us, we do have Jewish wisdom to guide us.
In a world filled with chaos we yearn for security and stability. We are now preparing for Passover and anticipating Seder night. The definition of ‘Seder’ is ‘order’, exactly the safety net we crave. First, we must hear the message of our Seder. Know without a doubt that we are not alone in this world. Just as our people wondered in Egypt if they would ever get out of the awful darkness they were suffering, we too may wonder: Are we spiraling out of control? Will we ever see the light again?
God took us out of Egypt and we will get out of this darkness too.
Seder night comes to teach us perspective for life. There is marror (bitter herbs), it is true. Our forefathers had many moments of grief. There were times that they were anguished and felt as if they had lost their spirit. But they did not allow the marror moments to overcome them. They were not stripped of their faith. We dip the marror into charoset – a delicious mixture of apples, nuts, wine and honey – to teach us that even in the most difficult of times we must see the sweetness that imbues our life. The friendships, the love, the resilience, the kindness that surrounds us. God took us out of Egypt and we will get out of this darkness too.
At our Seder we make a sandwich of matzah and marror with a bit of charoset, for such is life. Sandwiched between the hardships are the flashes of joy. Grab onto them! Seize the moment.
With quarantines and social distancing, take this time to build a bridge. Call someone you’ve lost touch with. Think of others who are feeling isolated right now and hug them with your heart.
This one germ has spread throughout the world and created havoc. Imagine how one good word, one good deed could spread throughout the world and counter the devastation. Your light could spread from one person to another, and on and on. The antidote to destruction is creation. Create goodness. Be a blessing.
Rabbi Akiva's Optimism
It is easy to grow hopeless. We are not the first to feel this way.
Our Haggadah speaks of a famous Seder that took place in Bnei Brak. There were many great rabbis sitting together. One rabbi mentioned is Rabbi Akiva, who was actually the younger scholar hosting the elders. The rabbis spoke about the exodus until their students came in to say, “Rabbis, it is time to recite the morning Shema prayer!”
My dear readers, this Seder invite Rabbi Akiva into your hearts. He will give you strength. He will empower you with courage.
Rabbi Akiva lived in the darkest of times. The holy Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. The Romans had conquered the land. The spirit of the Jewish nation had been crushed; their soul trampled upon. Studying Torah and doing mitzvot were met with imprisonment, torture and death. Soon the long and bitter exile would begin. The Jews would be put into chains and sold in the Roman slave market. Who could think about joining a Seder in such darkness? Who could feel inspired and speak about the exodus in Egypt when despair was in the air?
This is exactly why the sages met in the home of Rabbi Akiva.
Rabbi Akiva was the eternal optimist. He refused to surrender to depression. Where others saw the end of the road, he saw the beginning of the journey. His eye was always on the future. His heart was eternally filled with faith.
We meet Rabbi Akiva once again when he is walking with his peers up to Jerusalem When they reached Mount Scopus, they tore their garments from grief at the sight of devastation. As they reached the Temple Mount, a fox emerged from the place that had been the Holy of Holies. The rabbis started to weep. Rabbi Akiva laughed. “Why are you laughing?” they asked. He explained that while they see the destruction of the sacred, he sees the fulfillment of prophecy. Just as the first part of prophecy had been fulfilled, that the Temple would be destroyed, now we must look forward to the second part of the prophecy-the rebuilding of our Temple and return of our people.
We must gather now round the table of Rabbi Akiva. It takes courage to keep a positive spirit. The sages assembled by the spirit who would keep hope and faith alive. As long as we do not get stuck in the blackness of yesterday we can emerge into the brightness of tomorrow. Is it easy? No, it takes all you’ve got. But if you are able to spend the night recalling the exodus, reinforcing within the understanding that there is a God who watches over you, cares for you, and takes you out of your personal Egypt, you will make it. We must tap into the eternal optimism of Rabbi Akiva.
When the students came in to say it is time for the morning Shema they were transmitting a message to us, today: Don’t give up. Don’t fall into despair. The darkest part of the night comes just before dawn.
The morning Shema is a prayer of clear-cut faith. There are no hazy doubts. It is bright and unobscured. We proclaim our unwavering belief with one voice.
We will stand up again. We will feel joy again. We will rebuild.
(18) Anonymous, March 30, 2020 5:37 AM
Clarity Optimism & Comfort -Thank You
Amid tonight's despair in our home I found your article, which gave much needed solace. Thank you. (I saw the author's name & credit after I read the piece & thought: Of course! That spark!!)
(17) Lori Fredericks, March 28, 2020 4:55 AM
Speak Life
Even as at the Passover believe for the spirit of carona virus to pass over your home and not touch it , pray it for you and yours,..Hashem saved you then HE can do it again. Jeremiah 32 verse 17. &. 27
(16) Erika Esther Klein, March 26, 2020 11:25 PM
inspiring
Kol Hakavod Slovie! Your words did inspire not to despair-Hashem is on our side! Chag Kasher V'Sameach!
(15) LUCIA, March 26, 2020 8:14 AM
YES ISRAEL LIVES ON FOREVER
the spirit of Abraham is passed on to his generations
Abraham is favored and blessed by God to be a blessing to the nations
(14) Anonymous, March 24, 2020 11:08 PM
Lovely and inspiring article
We met in Florida at the women's tea. I am the sister of Helen Rosenfeld from NY. I knew your mother and she prayed for me several times. Thank you for this article about Passover, faith and optimism. I have been concerned because we are in Florida and our family is in NJ and my husband and I will be alone for Pesach for the first time ever. But since we are in our 80's we really can't even get together with friends. We don't even have a Hagaddah. If there are any online please let me know. Meanwhile, be safe, healthy, and sending prayers for strength for you and your entire family, friends and Kalal Israel!
(13) Libe, March 24, 2020 10:53 AM
We must pass this test
We have taken a lot for granted, the alarm has been turned on.
It's absolutely sobering to see how many have passed and how
the world is awakening little by little. We will continue to pray
for all,especially 1 responders,and those heros who are in the
hospitals who are risking their lives. We are given guidance
We must choose life,speak life and blessing. We are not to go
back to sleep,or pretend everything will back to what we once
knew. Rather within ,we must change from slumber to new life.
With our life we give life.
(12) Richard, March 23, 2020 8:22 PM
"This too shall pass!" said my mom, of blessed memory
There was an article in the Jerusalem Post on the Spanish Flu of 1918. Helps give us perspective, Since Adam and Eve, we have had a multitude of challenges, Noah and the flood being just one. While unnecessary human and animal suffering is tragedy, it is called life. We must count our blessings and thank Hashem, from our hearts, for all the blessings we have. Do the best we can and hope and pray for the best.
(11) Anonymous, March 23, 2020 6:47 PM
very "Mechazek"
thanks very much for sharing with the "Tzibur".
Tizku LeMitsvot
(10) ERVEN ROVINSKY, March 23, 2020 5:57 PM
excellent
well written and enlightening
(9) Malca, March 23, 2020 2:44 PM
thank you for the optimism
Thank for enlightening us with faithful words.
(8) Asea Robert Reuben, March 23, 2020 7:32 AM
Very educative piece.
I learn that this CORONA is of a Spiritual nature The reflects I am getting takes me King David crying to God when he saw his Kingdom perishing in a plegue similar to this corona virus. Today science cannot disprove the long arm of God.
(7) Seymour Siegel, March 23, 2020 2:27 AM
The effect of social distancing on holding a Seder.
The mandate to keep a minimum of 6ft between people would seem to force the cancellation of most Seders. Which is the higher moral good: to hold a Seder or cancel it?
(6) Anonymous, March 23, 2020 1:23 AM
social interaction in health crisis
Read your article expecting some suggestions for this years' seder. Are we all supposed to "get together?" ignoring CDC suggestions? Was sorely disappointed to find nothing practical for everyday living.
Bunny Shuch, March 23, 2020 5:52 AM
We are blessed in this time to have the technology to be together without being together!
We recently got together with family members who live in different places in order to celebrate a birthday, and yet none of us left our home. How did we do it? Google Gatherings. On our computers and phones we could see each other and talk to each other and even play games together. Zoom is another way to do this. It would be perfect for having a family and friends seder without anyone leaving their home.
Yehudit, March 24, 2020 6:09 PM
There is a way, and I am doing it
Our shul's Community Seder was cancelled because there would be waay too many people attending it. The Rabbi, the shul staff, and the Board met in a large room and decided that individuals should lead Seders in their own home and invite no more than 3 guests, so they could sit a distance from each other I am leading a Seder in my own home and really looking forward to it.
(5) Anonymous, March 22, 2020 9:29 PM
Uplifting
Thank you for putting this into perspective❤️I love our Jewish Chutzpah- belief shines through every time!Happy Pesach from New Zealand
(4) Sherrie, March 22, 2020 6:38 PM
Staying positive, knowing God is in control
God will bring us thru this, he has a plan, we don't know what that is but it is a good plan. Stay positive and focus on GOD
Anonymous, March 24, 2020 6:20 PM
YESSS ! !
Yesssss ! ! ! G-d is totally in charge, and we need to be positive and have faith that He will carry out His plan the way that He wants.
(3) Sharon Weiner, March 22, 2020 4:55 PM
Thank you so much Slovie and the rest of the family for the Torah Classes and Chaya Sora's call in.
People really need this now.
Be well
Sharon
(2) Rachel, March 22, 2020 4:10 PM
Encouragement
Thank you for the encouraging article. It came at a perfect time!
(1) Anonymous, March 22, 2020 12:30 PM
Beautiful. Positive and uplifting, thank you Slovie!