History and the lessons we must learn

Rabbi Ammos Chorny

I once read about a young woman who, while visiting the Judean Valley in Israel, fell into a pit. Miraculously, she survived, though her injuries required over 100 stitches. When asked why she didn’t pursue reconstructive surgery, she responded that she preferred to keep the scars as a clear reminder that she was alive by the grace of the Creator.

Each of us bears scars, whether physical or emotional. As a people, the Jewish nation collectively carries the scars of its long history of suffering. Last month, we marked one year since Oct. 7 — the most devastating attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The wounds from that massacre will remain with us for a long time.

Just a few months earlier, on the 9th of Av, we fasted to remember the baseless hatred that once tore us apart. Tradition teaches that it was this discord among our people that incited God's anger and led to the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. Since then, we have carried this knowledge with us, striving to be better and kinder to one another. Scars, after all, are not merely remnants of the past — they are reminders of the lessons we must carry forward, urging us to act with greater wisdom and compassion.

The way we treat one another matters— both to those whom we encounter and in the eyes of the Creator.

There is much to reflect on regarding the tragic events in Jewish history, but beyond the historical details lies something even more crucial: the lessons we must learn. The way we treat one another matters — both to those whom we encounter and in the eyes of the Creator. We are living in a time of great division and fragmentation, especially in America, and as we look toward the future, we must work harder to show respect to those who share this world with us.

We need to be gracious, generous and willing to see things from others' perspectives. Let us radiate positivity and encouragement, rather than seeking to tear others down.

What our Father in Heaven desires most, and what will heal the fractures in our relationships, is hope, unity and love. When we begin to see each person as a unique individual with something valuable to contribute, the walls of hatred we may have built due to our perceived differences begin to crumble, replaced by understanding.

The Creator has ensured that each one of us has a purpose, that every person has something meaningful to offer. No one is deserving of hate, and everyone has a role in the tapestry of the world. When we recognize this truth and allow one another the space to fulfill our God-given potential, we begin to truly correct the mistakes of the past.

May our treatment of one another be a tikkun — a rectification — for those times of strife, and may we merit witnessing the ultimate Tikkun Olam, the healing and transformation of the world. Until then, may our efforts to improve ourselves ripple outward, creating not destruction but renewal, and sanctifying this world in ways both seen and unseen.

Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah.