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Monday, April 29, 2019

Positive Response to a Negative World

I am a positive person by nature. If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I try to deal with each topic with a "how to" approach rather than "how-not-to." When an event as horrific as the recent shooting at the Chabad Passover service in San Diego, California, happens, my positivity is challenged to the extreme. I am sure that anyone trying to learn to live a Jewish life finds responding to such tragedy difficult. How can we remain positive when negative things challenge us? I want to share some suggestions inspired by a recent teaching by my rabbi, Rabbi Eric S. Woodward.

"Don't get scared - get loving."

Fear is a natural response to any threat. That is normal and even healthy, but we cannot allow fear to paralyze us. Respond to fear by expressing your love to those to whom you are closest: family, dear friends. Reach out to persons whom you have not contacted in a long time. Share a friendly greeting with people whom you meet casually. Do some kind act to brighten someone's day.

"Be happy and do things you enjoy."

I cannot improve on Rabbi Woodward's sage advice here: "Happy Jews make anti-(S)emites sad. Our happiness is the last thing they want. Go have your post-Pesach pizza, go see Avengers: Endgame, go celebrate spring. Don't let the anti-Semites win by filling your life with terror. Engage in the world and enjoy."

"Double-down on Judaism."

"This is the time to observe Judaism proudly," Rabbi Woodward tells us. Attend a local minyan. Perhaps try taking on a new religious practice. Learn to lay tefilin. Say Shema before going to bed tonight. Light Shabbat candles for the first time. Most importantly be proud of who you are. And thank Hashem for the privilege of being a Jew.

The Chabad rabbi who was injured in the attack bravely reminded his people, "Am Israel Chai! We cannot be defeated!" When we put our trust in God and determine to live our lives with confidence no matter what our enemies throw at us, we are unstoppable. In this time of uncertainty I wish for you strength of spirit, joy of heart and confidence in your observance of Torah. Am Israel Chai!

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