How do we handle all this pain?
Every time we hear a siren disrupting the silence outside, we feel pain. Every time we receive a notice on our phone with a name and the picture of a candle next to it, we feel pain. There has been so much pain over the last several weeks. How should we react?
Nearly 3,000 years ago, a harsh famine struck the Land of Israel. People barely had food. People were suffering. Somewhat similar to our situation today, there was fear and uncertainty. There was pain. And nobody knew how and when the dire situation would end.
There were two men at that time who, unlike everyone else, were blessed with wealth. They had plenty of food.
One was a man named Boaz. He generously shared his grain with the needy. And when a young widow from a different nation – Rut – came along, penniless and starved, he took her under his wings and cared for her. He married her, and they had a child, who ended up being the grandfather of David Ha’melech.
The other man was Elimelech. When people came knocking on his doors begging for help, he couldn’t take it. The pressure was too much for him. He couldn’t be bothered. And so he took his family and abandoned his nation, moving to a different country.
Elimelech was severely punished for what he did. He died, as did his two sons, before they had any children. Nothing remains of Elimelech.
When crisis strikes, there are two ways to respond: we can STEP UP, like Boaz did, or STEP AWAY, like Elimelech did.
In 2020, we have our own “Boazs” and “Elimelechs.”
Robert Kraft, owner the New England Patriots, STEPPED UP. He had his team’s private plane fly to China and bring 1.2 million masks to help the healthcare workers tending to coronavirus patients.
Adidas, the second-largest sports apparel company on the planet, STEPPED AWAY. When the crisis hit, the company announced it was not going to pay rent because its stores were closed. At a time of unprecedented economic turmoil, this multibillion-dollar company chose to step away and abandon the country which desperately needs all the support it could get.
There are also other examples.
Yaron Yitzhari, CEO of the Israeli Metronics company, opened up its patent on ventilators to enable his competitors to make more machines. Recognizing the supreme importance of ensuring an adequate supply of ventilators, this CEO stepped up to help it competitors so there would be enough machines for all patients.
A woman in Lakewood who runs a playgroup in her home heard a knock on her door in the beginning of April. It was the mother of one of the children she cares for.
“This is payment for April,” the mother said, handing her a check.
“But the playgroup is closed,” the woman said. “You don’t have to pay me.”
“I’m a teacher,” the mother explained, “and I’m still receiving salary. As long as I’m getting paid, I’m paying you.”
This woman stepped up, in a big way.
Stepping up means doing the very best we can – however much that is.
For some, this means saying 10 chapters of Tehillim. For others, it means picking up the phone to call or text somebody who is alone, or someone who is sitting shivah and cannot have visitors. It might mean paying full tuition even though the business has taken a hit. It might mean offering money to a family member who has lost his income. It might mean donating to our schools, shuls and organizations, or to a struggling family.
For all of us, it means PUSHING OURSELVES TO OUR LIMITS. Extending the furthest we can go. Giving and doing the best we can.
Greatness happens not when all is fine and normal. It happens when times are tough. It happens when people step up when they are needed the most.
May Hashem look down mercifully upon us, and see all those who have stepped up – all the teachers who have stepped up to continue educating their charges under the most difficult circumstances. All the Hatzalah members who have stepped up. All the doctors and nurses who have stepped up. All the mothers and fathers who have stepped up. All those who have continued paying tuition, paying rent, or paying their employees despite their loss of income.
In the merit of all those who have stepped up to do all they could, may we all be worthy of Hashem’s kindness and assistance during this trying time, amen.