“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech
24 Elul 5777/ September 15,
2017 - Avos Perek 5-6
This week marked the sixteenth anniversary of the horrific
attacks of September 11, 2001. A few years ago, on September 11, I was teaching
my fifth-grade class at Ashar, and was reminiscing about that fateful and
tragic day. As I was talking to them, it suddenly dawned on me that the boys
sitting in front of me hadn’t been born before September 2001. When I shared
that thought with the class, one boy called out without thinking, “I was
pregnant at the time.” When the boy behind him said that he would have liked to
have seen that, the first boy replied, “oh, you know what I meant.”
One of the things that stick out in my mind from the days and
weeks after the attacks, was that everyone and everything was consumed, and
completely focused on what had occurred. Not only was it a front-page story for
quite some time, but even issues of business and sports magazines spoke about
the events. The front page of a noted sports magazine had a quote on its front
cover, “The day that sports stood still”, with a picture of an American flag
draped over empty stadium seats.
The events forced the nation to consider and reflect upon its
own values and ideals. The freedoms which were taken for granted, were suddenly
appreciated again. In the face of heinous evil, the value of human life, unity,
self-sacrifice, and compassion took center stage. Political barriers were cast
aside as everyone viewed themselves simply as Americans, proud of their
identity, who would not cower in the face of evil.
The shocking events compelled the entire country to step back
from all of its bustling busyness and self-consumed, materialistic lives. In
the quiet of the shock of what happened, Americans rediscovered latent
patriotism and love for what their country stood for.
On Tisha B’av morning, as we sit on the floor to recite the
painful words of kinnos, we commence with a quote from Megillas Eicha, in fact
a single word: “Shovas – everything came to a standstill!”
When the destruction of Yerushalayim and the Bais Hamikdash
occurred, the bustle of life and vibrancy in the spiritual capital, came to an
abrupt halt. Each year, on Tisha B’av, we step back from the busyness of our
lives to reflect upon the national tragedies that have occurred throughout the
millennia.
On Shabbos morning, following Kerias HaTorah, we read the
haftorah, a passage from the Nevi’im. For most of the year, the passage
reflects and parallels at least one section of the parsha. However, for a
period of about three months, the focus of the haftorah is not primarily based
on the parsha (though there are always subtle connections), but on the events commemorated
during that period of the year. During the Shabbosos of the Three Weeks of
mourning between Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’av, we read three ‘haftoros of
punishment’, in which the prophets forewarned the nation of the impending doom
that was imminent if they didn’t repent. The following seven weeks – from Tisha
B’av until the Shabbos before Rosh Hashana – we read shiva d’nichemta,
seven emotionally stirring haftaros of consolation from Yeshaya HaNavi.
This demonstrates that there is an inextricable connection
between the painful days of mourning and the days of repentance. Although by
now, Tisha B’av may seem like it faded into the limelight, it actually
continues in a sense throughout the month of Elul. As we are readying ourselves
for the great days of judgement, G-d is still consoling and comforting us for
the destruction we recently mourned.
This week, Hillary Clinton published a new book entitled,
“What Happened?” about her failed bid for the presidency last year. Her
shocking loss was a deeply humbling experience for her. The dress she had
planned to wear to her first meeting as president, she wore when she delivered
her concession speech to Donald Trump.
Clinton described how after losing the election, she took
long walks in the woods near her home and reflected upon what went wrong. In
her book, she takes responsibility for the loss and for deeply upsetting her
supporters, and discusses the mistakes she made.
The truth is, that not only should such a book be written
from the vantage point of the loser, but the victor too should reflect upon
“What Happened” so that he can capitalize on what went right.
The unfortunate reality however, is that we become more
reflective and introspective in the shadow of tragedy and loss. When things are
going well, we have a much harder time stepping back to analyze and contemplate
the reason for our success.
Perhaps that is part of why the weeks of consolation stretch
through Elul. Those feelings of contrition and humility that welled up within
us during the reflective moments of Tisha B’av, need to guide us into our quest
for spiritual growth and repentance.
We would be wise to not only ask ourselves “What Happened” in
regard to our failures and mishaps, but also regarding our successes and
triumphs.
As 5777 comes to its conclusion, we hope we can learn its
lessons – for good and for better – as we anticipate great accomplishments and
events during 5778.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum