From the desk of Rabbi Yosef Sanders:
CHAZAK! CHAZAK! V'NITCHAZEIK! • BE STRONG! BE STRONG! AND MAY WE BE STRENGTHENED!
How appropriate are these words now, recited after the completion of this week's Torah Reading, that completes the Book of Exodus!
We are surely in need of a boost to our morale, finding ourselves in strange and uncertain circumstances!
What message of strength can we glean from these words, for our lives today?
Let's divide the message into three components:
CHAZAK! BE STRONG! - Physically
There is well-founded advice that recommends that one must recognize one's own strengths in order to properly grow and thrive. While we are certainly not meant to be boastful, it is critical to assess who we are, and to recognize our personal assets, in order to map out our goals, and align our efforts accordingly.
In this sense, in times of uncertainty, it is helpful to take stock, in order to better set ourselves up for success in such times.
Health: If we are healthy, and have the physical and mental energy we need to get through our day, we have the foundation to build our lives in any situation.
Shelter: If we have space that keeps us protected from the elements, we have the place to operate and achieve our goals.
Nourishment: If we have food and water, we are in a position to move ahead with our lives.
These are the basics that we need to function, and we are truly blessed to be provided with the above. Indeed, we are Strong!
CHAZAK! BE STRONG! - Mentally/Emotionally
Recognize the Challenge: It is also critical, however, to recognize our weaknesses. Ignoring the challenges in front of us, and trying to move ahead as usual, won't work. In order to go forward, we must fully take stock of our unique characteristics and state of affairs.
Uncertainty is a drain on our mental and emotional stamina. We are creatures of habit, and tasks that have become familiar are accomplished almost on auto-pilot, without straining to think them through. Encountering new environments demands more mental energy, and tires us out more easily. I, for one, find working at home a challenge, and much prefer a location where I can entirely focus on the issues I want to give attention to. Being "stuck at home" is something we must all address. With time, this will become more manageable.
V'NITCHAZEIK! - LET US STRENGTHEN OURSELVES
We need to remember that the life setting that we are in is the one we are meant to live!
When the Jews were in the desert for 40 years, they did not sit around, biding their time, saying this is not the life we're meant to be living - it's an aberration, and we'll wait until it passes. To the contrary, they spent their days toiling in Torah, educating themselves thoroughly, until they became known as a Dor Dei'ah, a generation of great scholarship.
The story is told of the Manchester Tzadik, Rabbi Yehuda Zev Segal, who lived in our times, and was once taken to the hospital on Shabbat. He was carried out to the ambulance, but there was his usual radiant smile and countenance shining on his face. His daughter asked him why he wasn't upset at the violation of Shabbat. He replied that the same way one should be happy performing the Mitzvah of Shabbat when one is able, one must likewise be happy transgressing Shabbat when this is the Mitzvah of the hour!
G-d obviously wants us to be at home these days. Our Mitzvah, then, is to optimize the "stuck-at-home" existence, and grab every opportunity to thrive, both personally and for our families, in every way!
Wishing you and all of Klal Yisrael a healthy, happy Shabbat Shalom, full of every measure of Simcha, this Shabbat and always!
Thank you,
Yosef S
