COMMENTARY
February 2021
Federation Star
29
Meeting the challenges of 2021 Rabbi Fishel Zaklos
“T
hese are times that try men’s souls,” said Thomas Paine. This past year has tried our souls. We have been tested in ways we never thought possible. We’ve seen and endured so much suffering and pain. How does one deal with the intensity of emotions and challenges of these times? There are three ways: Apathy Sympathy Empathy These three words describe different attitudes one might apply when reacting to the feelings, challenges, pain and loss suffered by our fellow human beings. Each is quite different from the other. Apathy: I don’t see you. I don’t care. Sympathy: Poor you. I see you. You are such a nebbish, a wimp - I’ll help you out of the kindness of my heart. I’ll ask how you’re doing, but I really don’t want to know. I have much to tell you, but there’s nothing I want to hear from you.
Empathy: I see you as a human being. I see you as a child of the Creator. I see you. I hear you. Tell me about yourself. What can I do for you? I have so much to learn from you. We can all agree that no one admires apathy as a moral and aspirational ethos. Sympathy, however, is ambiguous. It sounds great, but it puts people on various rungs of the ladder, where have-nots seem ‘lesser’ than those who have. We look at one another vertically rather than horizontally. Let’s look at the standard-bearer of Jewish leadership: Moses our teacher — Moshe Rabeinu, the famous fellow from the Exodus story. What did G-d see in Moses, making him worthy of leading the Hebrews out of Egypt? What X-Factor made him stand taller than other leaders of the time? His empathy. When he looked at people, he saw a reflection of himself. Their social status did not matter; he loved them. His loving attitude also showed in his original occupation as a shepherd of his father-in-law’s flock. The Talmud tells us G-d was so impressed with his kindness that He felt confident to entrust Moses with the historical task of leading the people into freedom. He was a בעול עם חבירו נושא. He walked among the people with
their challenges, helping them carry their load. Moses was truly kind. True kindness is a child of empathy. To give with one’s whole heart is only possible when one does not see the person who lacks as any less than oneself. The homeless beggar, the addict, the person with disabilities is no less human than oneself. They are beautiful and worthy of dignity and respect. We are all God’s children, deserving of empathy, deserving to be seen and heard. Does that mean we have to take on the pain of almost 8 billion people? That is simply not possible. Developing empathy is not about saving the world (an overused cliché); rather, it is about how we interact with our family, friends and community. We lean into our relationships with those close to us, and the ripple effect spreads far beyond ourselves. Here in Collier County, I am truly blessed to be living in an amazing community! This area is so filled with generosity and goodness. Wherever I look, there is so much empathy! Our shared struggle has brought us closer together, and we have learned to lean on one another. It is this perseverance and unity that gives me faith that 2021 will be happier and brighter, because we will make it so! Rabbi Fishel serves at Chabad of Naples.
Appreciation for the joy that life offers Rabbi Adam F. Miller
T
his past year, I found myself on more than one occasion thinking about the story of the poor man who lived with his wife and six children in a very small one-room house. They were always getting in each other’s way and there was so little space they could hardly breathe! Eventually, the man took his wife’s advice to go see if the rabbi could help. After hearing the story, the rabbi said, “Do exactly as I tell you and things will get better. Do you promise?” “I promise,” the man said. The rabbi then asked a strange question. “Do you own any animals?” “Yes,” he said. “I have one cow, one goat and some chickens.” “Good,” the rabbi said. “When you get home, take all the animals into your house to live with you.” The man was astonished to hear this advice, but he had promised to do exactly what the rabbi said. So, he went home and brought all the animals into the tiny one-room house.
The next day the man ran back to the rabbi. “What have you done to me, Rabbi?” he cried. “It’s awful. I did what you told me, and the animals are all over the house! The goat is smashing up all the furniture and eating everything in sight!” The rabbi said, “Go home and remove the goat.” The next morning he returned and was told to remove the chickens. The day after that the rabbi said to remove the cow. The day after the cow departed, the man came running back to the rabbi again. “O Rabbi,” he said with a big smile on his face, “we have such a good life now. The animals are all out of the house. The house is so quiet and we’ve got room to spare! What a joy!” Friends, this story resonates with us on multiple levels during this pandemic. For some, especially those with children, this story expresses what it has been like with everyone more trapped within their homes. When schools closed and activities stopped, our houses and condos that once seemed large, suddenly began to shrink. Virtual workplaces and virtual school happening under the same roof at the same time — felt very much like having the chickens, cow and goat indoors! As restrictions eased, we began to feel the release of freedom — and a renewed appreciation for the spaces we have.
Looking from another angle, the story also connects to an opportunity that we have right now in Southwest Florida. This time of year, which we colloquially refer to as “Season,” is filled to the brim with activities, events, lunches, dinners and more programs that any one person could possibly attend. In most years, we spend January through April running day after day through our jam-packed schedules. The calendar equivalent of moving not just a chicken, goat and cow into our homes, but also throwing in a horse, donkey and flock of geese! 2021 will be different. Yes, there are still many activities, social events and good causes that call upon us through virtual engagement. But this year, we have time to do more. Time to spend outside appreciating this beautiful place we call home. More opportunities for us to engage in meaningful conversations, where we can really talk about things that matter — and not just say hello across a crowded event space. Time to appreciate the blessings that have been bestowed upon us without worrying that we may be missing the next big thing. Our schedules more open, may this year renew our gratitude for the blessings we have, and our appreciation for the joy that life has to offer. L’shalom. Rabbi Miller serves at Temple Shalom
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ZOOM IN FOR
Four More Fabulous Events in March
For full details on these and other events in the Jewish Book Festival, see pages 20-21 in this issue. People of the Book H I S T O R Y
Neal Bascomb Wednesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
MEMOIR/HOLOCAUST
Ariana Neumann Thursday, March 11 at 1 p.m.
M E M O I R
Bess Kalb Monday, March 15 at 1 p.m.
AMERICAN JEWISH STUDIES/ WOMEN’S STUDIES
Pamela S. Nadell Tuesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.
To register, please visit www.JewishBookFestival.org.
