Professor Moshe Sokolow writes about "whether Judaism has anything instructive to say about hurricanes."
Rain, even in overabundance, is a blessing. Gloria, Katrina, Irene, and Sandy are reminders that the volume of rain, the force of the winds, and the height of the storm surge are out of our control. On the other hand, we get to choose where to build and where to live; we can assign priorities for the investment of our individual and collective resources; and we can exercise prudence in preparing for the proverbial “worst case scenario.”
Read full article: http://www.jewishideasdaily.com/5273/features/the-jewish-view-of-hurricanes/
After the destruction in Haiti, Rabbi Emanuel Feldman penned his thoughts.
The ways of G-d are hidden and mysterious; they have never been crystal clear
to man. Only a finite and mortal god can be fully known and understood by finite
and mortal man. But who will worship a mortal god? By the same token, only an
infinite and immortal mind can fathom the infinite and immortal G-d. But who
among us has an infinite and immortal mind?
Given these obvious facts, it is difficult for a mortal mind to fathom the
ease and eagerness with which other mortal minds presume to reveal divine
secrets. For whenever some major catastrophe strikes, there are always those who
leap forward with reasons and explanations. Whether it be a bridge collapse, a
massive air disaster or a plague, inevitably a religious leader stands up and
tells the world precisely why this happened.
Read more: http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2010/02/02/haiti-and-the-mind-of-g-d/
I couldn't help but notice that the Hebrew words for materialism (גשמיות) and rain (גשם) are derived from the same three letter root.
On the one hand, G-d can rain down material goods on us, only to have them rained away in a split second.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Lakewood
ReplyDeleteWith much of Lakewood NJ still without power for days, I humbly feel that Hashem is trying to send us a message that: "we" are putting out the light the power of the beauty of Lakewood, the largest town in the US of Torah learning. The light of the Kedusha the light of thousands of Torah learners right here in our town of Lakewood is being distinguished by us with our actions
We have more Yeshivas and Mesiftas than in any other town or city in America BY"H so we have more responsibility to keep Hashem happier with our way of life, get closer to Hashem as to be an example to the world how a Ben Torah is to behave
It's time for all of us to make a Cheshbon Hanefesh and see what could be corrected to bring back the light of the Shechinah to Lakewood the town of Torah and Chessed the town that was build by the big Rosh Yeshiva z"l
If we don't take the message from this storm seriously who knows what other difficult messages Hashem might have to send us in order to wake up and do Teshuva?
Take a moment and think...are we truly living a spiritual life at least similar to our great grandparents, the way they lived when they arrived in America some 60 years ago? or are we indulged in our clothing, i.e. shoes, jewelry, belt, coat, & mink coats, handbags, boots, sun glasses, non-stop shopping, hunting for bargains, living in restaurants, redoing our kitchens every so often, always planning our next vacations, now Leshem Mitzvah we are busy planning our winter vacation, and of course don't forget Motzai Shabbos hot Pizza & fries, eating it in the pizza shops with mixed company, we have turned into a major "planning board" not leaving enough time to see and plan our lives as "how to serve Hashem better”
Lets be honest it's almost impossible to walk the streets and keep our eyes clean, and yes, I am referring to neighborhoods of Bnai Torah and Chassidim, not in Harlem, Miami Beach or Las Vegas etc.
The "Franken-Storm" effect has been felt by many of us, we are all suffering because of it, one way or another, but..... The million dollar question is: are we waking up to Hashems cry?
Now it's our duty to be strong and say to Hashem:
OK we are ready to change our lives, our materialistic lifestyle that we have lived up to now, will change!!! We’ll start getting ourselves ready for the coming of Moshiach by living a true Torah life. BTW when Moshiach arrives there will be nothing left of all our Gashmius, so get a head start...and get rid of it now. Lets be more careful with all of the Halochos and 613 Mitzovos of our special sweet Torah.
Thank you for giving up your time and reading this note of Chizuk. Please copy and paste in Shuls, schools etc. so others can get Chizuk too.
s.p. It would be nice if everyone takes the Frankenstorm warning from Hashem very seriously to prevent future catastrophes.