SHORTNESS OF BREATH
“Maase avos siman l’banim …. The actions of the fathers are signs for the children.” At this moment in history, the parallel between the Parsha and contemporary reality is incredibly clear. The Parsha is painting a picture of our world!
Our ancestors in Mitzraim were so overwhelmed by the pressure of Golus that they were unable to heed Moshe Rabbeinu “because of shortness of breath and hard work.” (Shemos 6:9)
I know an eminent, religiously-observant psychiatrist who advocates and himself practices daily breathing exercises in order to induce a state of mental stability. This may be a matter of pikuach nefesh. The pressure of daily life in our world is so heavy that many people are not able to focus, concentrate and orchestrate life in a rational manner. People can become habitually hysterical, even suicidal – G-d forbid -- because their thoughts are out of control.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch comments on our ancestors in Mitzraim, “they were drained of all spirit and did not have the energy to turn their thoughts to the future, of which Moshe wished to speak to them. They were so pressed by the demands of the present and so burdened by their work that they did not even have the patience to listen to him quietly.” (Shemos 6:9)
In order to live correctly one must be in control of one’s emotions. The Masters of Mussar emphasized this. An example is the Alter of Kelm zt”l, who reserved a special garment for when he needed to take on the trait of anger, and this reminded him to keep his anger under the control of his yetzer ha tov. (Rav Dessler, Artscroll/Mesorah)
As we ask Hashem every day in davening, “compel our evil inclination to be subservient to You.”
There is a sickness in our world which induces frenetic behavior, a state of semi-hysteria in which it is impossible to keep the Torah as we should, because our minds are out of control. This is responsible, for example, for much loshon hara and sinas chinom. If we would think what we are doing, we would not allow hatred to destroy us.
Another example: I am often shocked when I hear people making a bracha or davening with such speed that there is no way they can understand what they are saying. This is a symptom of a deep and dangerous mental condition which is rampant in our world and is a symptom of deep Golus.
This week, a new President has been inaugurated in the United States. His accession has caused joy and hope among many Jews, who are elated that a “friend” now sits in the Oval Office, especially at a time when there are so many vocal enemies out there.
This is not a political column; I make no political judgment. I acknowledge the President’s friendship, but I feel we need a warning at this critical juncture in history.
The Book of Shemos famously opens with the words, “a new king arose over Egypt who did not know of Yosef.” (Shemos 1:8) Whether this was the “old” Paro or a “new” Paro is not relevant here. What is relevant is that the nations of the world can never be our savior or redeemer. When we depend on the power, benevolence or mercy of the foreign ruler or when we are overcome by the pressure which the outside world imposes upon us, then we are lost.
In this inauguration week, with rumors and headlines (and missiles) flying in every direction, we need to focus on one thing only: “Min ha maitzar …. From the straits I called upon Hashem. Hashem answered me in expansiveness…. It is better to take refuge in Hashem than to rely on man. It is better to take refuge in Hashem than to rely on nobles. All the nations surround me. In the Name of Hashem, I cut them down. They encircle me; they also surround me. In the Name of Hashem I cut them down!” (Tehillim 118)
Our only avoda is to call out in the Name of Hashem.
It’s time to stop and think, my friends, to look at the world solely through the lens of Torah. “Lo ba’Shomayim hi … For this commandment that I command you today – it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in heaven …. Nor is it across the sea …. Rather the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart – to perform it.” (Dvarim 30:11)
There is much noise in the world. Mighty sounds issue from many mouths – “Like rivers they have raised their voice, like rivers they shall raise their destructiveness, [but] more than the roar of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea … You are mighty on high, Hashem!” (Tehillim 93)
The future is right here in Yerushalayim Ir ha Kodesh. This is the Place from which salvation shall sprout. “Ki mi Tzion Taitzai Torah … From Tzion shall spring forth Torah and the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim.” (Yeshiah 2:3)
We are awaiting the Shofar Gadol. That is the sound that will herald the Dawn of Salvation! May we hear it soon and see with our own eyes the “nes…. that will gather our exiles from the four corners of the earth!”
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| The Holy City of Yerushalayim |
GLOSSARY
Avoda: spiritual work
Golus: Exile
Loshon hara: “evil tongue,” speaking against other Jews
Mitzraim: Ancient Egypt
Nes: sign indicating the ingathering of the exiles
Paro: Pharaoh, King of Ancient Egypt
Pikuach nefesh: matter of life and death
Shofar Gadol: Great shofar announcing the arrival of Moshiach
Sinas chinom: unwarranted hatred among Jews
Tehillim: Psalms
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