As the vortex of cold barreled across the United States this past week, bringing with it frigid temperatures not seen in decades—something quite unusual nearly happened. The thunderous Niagra Falls was nearly solidly frozen.
[I later found out this picture was an old picture that was recycled on the internet--RYH]
In this parsha, Parshat B’shalach, we read about the Jewish People’s flight from Egypt. With Pharoah and his cronies hot in pursuit at the rear, the Sea of Reeds at the fore, and endless desert on either side – the Jews were ‘up a creek without a paddle’.
The Midrash tells of a spirited argument between the Jews at time. What should we do? Pray, Fight, Suicide, Flight… What ‘s a Jew to do?
Which reminds me of the famous joke: The president of a shul is on a plane which is going down. The pilot, after issuing his mayday call, gets on the PA systems and calls out, “Everyone, do something religious!”
The president rises and makes…an appeal.
What is G-d’s answer according to the Midrash? Daber el Bnai Yisrael V’Yisaoo. Tell the Jewish people to go! Straight into the obstacle, travel on despite the way it seems. Nachshon leads the charge, and when the sea reached his neck, the waters parted.
In life, we are faced with cruel and cold harsh realities. When faced with these so-called ‘truths’ we tend to freeze in place, unable to move, no longer flowing with any vigor, unable to make it over the edge. We remain stiff, frozen with indecision.
The message from G-d : The obstacle is what we make it into. Look beyond the challenge, and the challenge will melt before you. Like a martial artist breaking bricks, not focusing on the bricks, but rather forcing his hand to a point beyond his obstacle—so too in our lives. Look past the obstacle, and you will overcome it.
We should note that despite the record setting cold, Niagra Falls never did totally freeze. Though slowed down dramatically, Niagra persisted to flow. The cynical and cold world is no match again the warmth of Torah and Judaism.
This Shabbat we commemorate the Yarzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe TZ”L, and the day that ‘Our Rebbe’, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson ZT”L, assumed the leadership of the Chabad movement.
If there ever was a precarious moment in Jewish History, it was the Jewish scene into which the Rebbe emerged as a Jewish leader. Assimilation, post-holocaust demoralization, apathy, intermarriage -- were some of the challenges that he faced. Many predicted the end of Judaism. The Rebbe, ignoring the forces of cynicism, ignited the frozen horizon with positivity and action, with hope and with love. He inspired us to invigorate the frozen world that he inherited and made it a much warmer and more spiritual world.
May we be a little more like Nachshon, a little more like the Rebbe. May each action that we do warm our environment, and make the world a little brighter, a little warmer.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yisroel Hecht