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So many things have happened lately, let us remember that the architect with the master plan of this world be’chesed is sending us so many reminders to do a cheshbon hanefesh, take stock, we are not in charge of this world.
I was just thinking something but it could totally be wrong or could totally not make sense. I haven’t really thought it out fully so for real, ignore it if it’s nothing.
But does anyone feel that every year almost gets worse and worse? Like each year as it goes by, I think we (atleast I feel like I do) hear of worse and worse tragedies, if tragedies can even be compared. I have no idea if this makes any sense but I just feel like crazier and crazier things happen each year. Things that we never thought could happen, do happen…a earthquake and tsunami in Japan… a family in Itamar being brutally murdered…a jewish boy being brutally murdered… a rav being brutally murdered… an earthquake, hurricane, severe flooding all in one week. I don’t know, I just don’t feel like last year there were these extreme tragedies. It could just be that I don’t remember everything from last year and this years pain just seems so extreme so it’s hard to remember last years but I don’t know if that’s the reason.
Anyone have any ideas or input? Sorry this is so long!!
happiest, you have a very good point, and I think you are right. But, with more and more tragedies comes more and more opportunities to re-evaluate ourselves, try to improve in areas we may need improving in, and re-ignite a feeling of true connection to all of our fellow Jews, which tends to happen when we hear of tragedies such as the ones you mentioned. Hopefully, as long as we can take out lessons from everything that happened this year and truly improve ourselves, G-d won’t need to send us these “tragic reminders” to change us. If we were on a really high level, perhaps we would be able to change on our own, without external motivation.
I don’t know if this makes sense at all, but it’s just a thought!
happiest
I posted this in another thread that might help.
Even if things seem to be getting worse, there are things we can actually do about it.
We have the power to make good choices.
I’ve just read that calamities only come to the world because of the Yidden (Yevamos 63a). Rashi there explains that Yidden should see past the catastrophes and become FEARFUL of what aveiros cause and do tshuva.
The WTC fell during Elul, Hurricane Katrina was in Elul, and Irene came up the NE coast during Rosh Chodesh Elul bentching.
We also had a summer with the ptiras of three gedolim, two murders (a young child’s murder and a rav), and more attacks in E”Y.
Hashem is showing us how people act when confronted with serious stuff. Those who are afraid are running around and looking for solutions (as with the coming hurricane). They do not wait for the last minute and rush to get some needed supplies.
Then there are those who pretend that nothing is happening may choose to do nothing or just go watch the storm, denying the danger.
Rosh Hashana is quickly approaching and we should not wait till the last minute to prepare.
We were given the tools, tshuva, tfilla and tzedaka.
And we were given the time, a whole Elul.
Let’s get ready. (Rav Pinchos Lipschutz)
happiest, if these thoughts bring you to teshuva then its good to think of it. But you cant let yourself get depressed.
Its possible. Any tragedy is terrible, but they seem to be happening a lot lately. Theres obviously something we’re not doing or not doing right… We need Moshiach already.
What middlepath says is emes. Although we are faced with major challenges and witness so many tragedies, there is a lesson to be learned in every single one of them individually and as a klal. I am not belittling the pain or heartache that comes through such tragedies, but we have to remember that they come from Hashem, and He only sends us these things out of His love for us. And He does have a reason for each one. Just like a parent does not want to harm their child, so too He doesn’t want to hurt us. Sometimes we need wake up calls. We need to view these as wake up calls and really look inside of ourselves and ask “What does Hashem want me to take out of this?” If we do this, He wont need to send us more.
Rebbe Nachman says that WITHIN darkness, we can find the greatest light. Hashem is inside of that darkness, and we can bring His light out into our lives, and into the world if we open our eyes to the emes.
The things that happened this year raelly brought klal yisrael together, especilly what happened with Leiby that really hit home. We have to work on it so that the achdus stays within us and doesnt weaken with time. It’s a real avodah, but we can do it.
Middlepath, you are so right. I really do feel like we have become a closer nation because of these tragedies. It is sad that this is what it takes for us to reunite and become closer to each other.
Am yisrael, I heard what you said about all calamities happening because of the Jews. I heard this in highschool and for some reason it is just so hard for me to understand and stomach. I don’t know why, it bothers me. Because there is a bombing in Indonesia, it happened because the Jews did something wrong? It just bothers me. Why should we be blamed for e/t that happens to other nations? I don’t know if this example will work but when Hashem destroyed sedom, was it because the Jews did something bad? Yes, there was no such thing as Jews then so I don’t know if this example makes sense.
I know each thing that happens to us is because Hashem loves us and is trying to tell us something. I don’t know, it’s hard for me to really understand though. I am not c”v doubting Hashem. I know that my thinking is warped and is not correct, I just don’t understand the correct thinking either.
happiest
the concept is that everything that happens anywhere is because of Am Yisroel.
this does not imply that everything is a punishment for what Am Yisroel has done, it could be a warning for them, or a preparation for future events, or a myriad of other reasons.
ahhh, thanks mod. I actually think that that clarified it a lot for me. I was thinking that it is a punishment for us, whenever something happens somewhere else (although techinically, a bombing in Indonesia didn’t really affect me and I’m assuming most other Jews) so it didn’t really make sense what I was thinking.
Thank you so much for writing that. It took only a few words to clarify such a major point. I really appreciate it. (Want you to know that I plan on copying this down into my phone so I can look back at it whenever I start doubting things that happen or start questioning them)
Thank you so much!!!
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