PERSPECTIVES

Gun Violence: A PreemPTiVe soluTion

Yoseph Janowski

One of the tragic malaises plaguing the modern world, especially in North America, is the phenomenon of gun violence and mass shootings. People are understandably frustrated, angry and afraid. For decades, in trying to find a balance between individual rights and security, lawmakers have struggled to find a solution.

Some say maybe there is no solution. The combined power of constitution rights activists and gun lobbyists will always win out. Perhaps. But maybe it doesn’t matter, at least not as much as people like to think. Maybe the law is not the real solution anyways. Maybe it’s just a treatment for the symptoms. Maybe what we need is to tackle the root cause.

The Rebbe gave us a straightforward, two step vision for how to educate youth to be spiritually aware, law-abiding citizens. In fact, he was recognized for these and other efforts by the United States Congress and President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The Rebbe’s birthday became officially proclaimed as “Education Day USA.”

What is the Rebbe’s plan?

First, vigorously beseech the decision makers in one's city or neighborhood to institute a daily moment of silence in public schools at the start of the school day.

Second, after the silent moment is instituted, publicize in the media that parents should get involved by discussing with their children what to think about during the moment of silence, each according to their traditions and values.

The Rebbe was also quick to point out that the moment of silence is an altruistic public service and should be implemented immediately, and that the plans for what exactly to fill the moment of silence with would fall into place.

The beauty of the Rebbe's approach is that we train children to be good to begin with, instead of trying to control the damage later. We treat the cause, not the symptom. We dispel the darkness early on, and in many cases will preempt the causes of anger and violence by bringing more spiritual awareness and goodness into our children’s lives.

Regardless of one’s political views, one need look no further than the recent incidents in Texas and Indiana to see that gun control laws are not the ultimate solution. In Texas 376 police officers waited 77 minutes before intervening and subduing the shooter. In Indiana, one twenty-year old civilian subdued the shooter within fifteen seconds and averted a greater tragedy. The inaction of well trained Texas officers resulted in horrific loss of life. The instant reaction of an untrained young man in Indiana saved many lives.

Obviously we need to make sure bad or mentally unstable people do not have access to firearms. But some will. Taking them away from everyone is not a solution, because then good people will be defenseless.

As I thought about the contrasting Texas and Indiana events, I recalled a Chassidic thought that a friend once told me. "A robber is not someone who knows how to rob. A robber is someone who actually robs. Similarly, a Torah scholar is not someone who knows how to study. A Torah scholar is someone who studies."

Knowing how to do something is not enough. The main thing is the action, and time is of the essence. This is true with every good deed. How much more so when it comes to educating children on how to live constructive lives. How will children grow up to be law-abiding, G-d fearing citizens if they don’t think about G-d? How will they be spiritually attuned if their spirit is not nurtured? How will they be good to themselves and each other if they don’t know what goodness really is?

Those regions and schools that do not have a moment of silence, should institute it immediately. Where it already exists, parents need to be engaged to join the conversation and guide their children in what to think about. Otherwise we are neglecting our children’s spirits, and allowing the darkness to fester and grow instead of encouraging their light to shine.

Our generation is one that needs to open our eyes and see how much goodness we are blessed with, how close our world is to realizing a peaceful and prosperous existence. We need to open our eyes and we need to help our children open theirs, with the spiritual awareness that comes from within. Nurturing and fostering that light will banish the darkness to begin with – certainly better than any legislation or law enforcement can do after the fact. EM