Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - November '24

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the rabbi

We’re Living in our spiritual wellbeing. Our bodies have suffered when noticed a rabbi with a white beard, speaking in front of
Both of these conditions have proven challenging to
Recently, as he was flipping channels on the TV, he
Miraculous Times persecuted; our souls have struggled when we prospered. thousands of Hasidim. They spoke in Yiddish, a language
The test of poverty might be more painful, but the test of he had long ago buried. The Rebbe spoke passionately
We’re All in This Together plenty is more lethal, threatening to cut us off entirely from about how every single Jew will be gathered together
our Heavenly Father under the illusion of self-determination with the imminent arrival of Moshiach, and he felt that the
By Rabbi Dovid Vigler and the smokescreen of self-insured security. Rebbe was talking to him. He told his family that he is a
It’s the best of times; it’s It is both of these groups that Isaiah speaks of in this Jew and that there was a prophet on TV who had told him
the worst of times. mysterious prophecy: In Hebrew, the word “Assyria” also they were coming to bring him home to his people. His
In the eyes of the world, means pleasure. The word “Egypt” also means struggle. While children mocked him at first. But when the two Hasidim
we are viewed with a paradox the Egyptian Jews — Jews of struggle — are called “distant,” arrived at the forlorn gas station, they all knew the time
of awe and admiration the Assyrian Jews — Jews of prosperity — are called “lost.” had finally come.
counterbalanced by disgust Thus, the prophet is telling us that the price of prosperity The test of strength and success is not easy. Absolute
and exclusion. is far higher than that of persecution. Jews who suffered power corrupts absolutely. Security and comfort can quickly
In light of recent events, I always remembered that they were Jews. The anti-Semites desensitize us from our spirituality. This is why we are
am finally able to understand always made sure they knew. But Jews who prospered were instructed to stand together as one: “You stand together as
a prophecy from Isaiah, quickly able to forget, with no one to remind them. one before G-d, under the inspiration of your leaders.”
2,800 years ago. Nevertheless, Isaiah assures us that both groups will When we come to shul to learn, pray, and socialize, we
While describing the wonders of the future redemption come home with the shofar blast. Not just hunchbacked gather strength from the community to remain committed to
through Moshiach, he speaks of a great shofar that will be Jews, but even those on their high horses too. our values and aspirations and stay on the right track. Trees
sounded that will inspire even the most distant and lost Jews: In 1995, a friend of mine from South Africa, Rabbi grow crooked in the garden when alone, but grow straight
“And it will be on that day, a great shofar will blow, Aron Lipskar, was heading back to Miami from visiting a in the forest when surrounded by other trees.
and the lost ones of the land of Assyria and the distant ones jail in Daytona Beach. He and a friend had shlepped across As we enter the new year, let us resolve to band together
of the land of Egypt will be inspired to serve Hashem in the state to spend ten minutes laying tefillin with a Jewish stronger than ever, emboldened by the promise that no Jew
Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13). inmate. On the way back, their gas tank was dangerously will ever be left behind. Draw strength in the community
While the prophecy is inspiring, it strikes us as a little odd low. They were relieved to find an isolated gas station off that surrounds you with love, knowing that we’re all in this
as to why it references the Jews of Assyria (Iraq) and Egypt, the highway. After filling up, they noticed the attendant together to support and assist each other.
neither of which have significant Jewish populations. Also eyeing them curiously. He walked up to them and asked if Isaiah’s prophetic words seemed to be hinting that
intriguing is why the Assyrian Jews are lost and the Egyptians they would mind stepping into the back office. Though it redemption would happen when we are both in a state of
are called distant. It almost seems like Isaiah’s prophecy, sounded like a bad idea, they complied. weakness (Egypt) as well as in a state of strength (Assyria).
though well intentioned, is out of touch with our time. Upon arrival, they found an older man behind his desk. Though we’ve never been able to see how that’s possible, it’s
In an explanation that validates our national sense of The gas attendant then said, “Dad, they have come to get the world’s bizarre reactions to our people in these days that
isolation today, the Rebbe sheds light on the prophecy and you!” As soon as he saw the two rabbinical students, he asked seem to be bringing this prophecy to fulfillment. So instead
shows us how it speaks precisely to us today. them, “Who sent you here?” “The Rebbe,” they answered. of despising the nations for their scorn of the Jews, let’s
For millennia, we Jews have mastered the art of survival His face turned white and tears welled in his eyes. embrace the mysterious plan of G-d Almighty unfolding
under duress and persecution. Despite the ancient Romans, The man explained that he was born into a Hasidic before our eyes, as we brace ourselves to experience the
the Nazi, militant Jihadists, and everyone in between, we have family in Europe before the war. His entire family perished miracles and wonders of the era of redemption.
flourished against all odds. However we have never really in the Holocaust and he was the sole survivor. He moved Rabbi Dovid Vigler is the spiritual leader at Chabad
been tested to see how we fare in times of prosperity. Only to Miami but soon left for Daytona because there were too of Palm Beach Gardens and host of the Jewish Schmooze
in recent years, with a highly sophisticated and advanced many Jews in Miami. He wanted to run away from his past Radio Show. Email him at rabbi@jewishgardens.com.
Jewish army of our own are we able to celebrate freedom and never face it again. He raised his family in Daytona and
from oppression and quell tyranny when faced with it. never revealed to them his true identity as a Jew.

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