PREPARING FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW…

Wherever You May Live

By Rabbi Hershel Becker

The frenzy is in full swing. We’ve been through the routine before. Schools are out. People are running here and there buying batteries, food and supplies. Outdoor furniture is brought inside. Homes are being boarded.

On the second day of Rosh Hashana, the security guard at Shul was distraught. He is from Haiti. Lives lost, disrupted and overturned are some effects of a hurricane. Hearing the beginnings of the storm was distressing and of great concern, not just for all who have suffered, but the potential of what could take place.

There certainly is room for distress at this time, but on Tzom Gedalya, between Mincha and Maariv, we learned a halacha that was empowering for this time. Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 582 deals with the importance of saying Hamelech Hakadosh in our tefilos. The Mishneh Berurah states: “For now are the days of judgment, that Hashem sits in judgment of the entire world and shows His Kingship and his rule, for He rules all.”

The words struck me: Hashem, “Shows His Kingship and his rule, for He rules all.” Do we see this every year? This year we certainly do. The power of Hashem is beyond our comprehension. While driving in the car picking up gas for the grill just in case electricity goes, I heard a comment on the radio that when Hurricane Andrew hit years ago, forecasters predicted that its force would hit a particular area. At the last minute it veered to a different location. With all of the advancements since, man is still not capable of ‘calling the shots.’

We have had advance warning. Zika, the tiny insect, has had great impact on people’s plans and the economy. Interestingly zika, as referred to in Rashi ( Ki Savo 28:24) and the gemarrah (Taanis 3b) is a wind. The response to zika apparently was not to get to the real Source. Now we must contend with the wind.

After seeing the Mishneh Berurah, Selichos this morning was different. The first selichah (60) began: “To You we pour our heart and soul like water, all of us to Hashem in Heaven.”

When I heard about the hurricane threat, I thought of the impact on the Mikveh. The second Selichah (61) begins, “Mikveh Yisrael Hashem.” Mikveh is a gathering of water. The root is kaveh. In Mikveh we turn to Hashem in the hope of life and Teshuvah, a new lease on life.

In one of the brief news reports I heard, the broadcaster commented how people are running, not certain where they will be safe. It reminded me of Tashlich, where we go to a body of water, preferably with fish, to remind ourselves, that just as fish are caught without warning, we never know when we will be plucked from this world.

On Rosh Hashana we ask Hashem “Shenihyeh Larosh.” The Yetiv Lev says in the name of the Rebbe of Zhidikov, that Larosh stands for Laasos Retzon Avinu Shebashamayim, to do the will of our Father in Heaven.

As we stand during Aseres Yemei Teshuva this year we realize the reality of the fragility of our lives, our kehilos and all mankind. As we prepare for Yom Kippur may we beseech Hashem that He grant us life, lemaancha Elokim, with the opportunity to serve Him, that our lives and kehilos stay intact, and He bring support to all who have been affected by the storm.

There have been times over the years that we have lost electricity in hurricanes. It is common for people to say that they lost power. I remind them. Electricity is lost, not power. There is one source of Power that is never diminished. We just have to plug ourselves into that Source, and Hashem has demonstrated most clearly, that now is the time.

As we board our homes may we open our hearts and souls, “like water, all of us to Hashem in Heaven.”

Rabbi Hershel D. Becker

Miami, Florida