Last week, as superstorm Sandy was winding down, I received an email from my mother. It read:
Sorry to say, I learned today that [an acquaintance of our family]’s house in Atlantic Beach burned to the ground during the hurricane. As I hear it, one of his cars in his driveway exploded, maybe due to the salt water getting in the engine, starting a fire which spread to the house. The firemen couldn’t even reach them, so they [the homeowners] just watched it burn. He was asleep at the time but his wife couldn’t fall asleep because their main floor was flooding, so she heard the explosion and woke him and of course they ran out.
Sadly, this type of story was all too common. Individuals and communities suffered huge and unthinkable losses as a result of flooding, fires, and fallen trees. Many families are unable to return to their homes (if they are lucky enough to still have homes), and even more remain without power (don’t think lights; think heat and hot water!).
In an attempt to shine a small bit of light through the darkness, let us look at some practical lessons we can glean from the heart-rending events of last week. (And may the effort of integrating Bitachon into our lives serve as a merit to ease the suffering and pain of those who were and are still affected by the storm. Our hearts feel for you!)
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Lack of permanence in this world
We have a natural tendency to think that things will always continue just as they are now. Our health, our wealth, our families and our jobs seem stable and secure.
Yet the reality is that we live in a changing world. Nothing stays the same for long.
Superstorm Sandy serves as a harsh reminder that nothing in this world is permanent, nothing is guaranteed. Homes and all that was inside are gone - permanently. There are properties that literally disappeared off the map (where there once was land is now just part of the bay!). Not only is the house gone, but the actual land it sat on is missing as well!
Value of life, relative unimportance of possessions
During periods of calm, we often attribute great value and importance to our belongings. Yet during times of calamity, it quickly becomes apparent that only human life is essential, and all else is comparatively inconsequential.
When our very lives are threatened, suddenly our “things” are not as significant as we had thought.
Material objects are temporary, spiritual achievements are lasting
During the ferocious storm that swept away cars, homes, and even streets themselves, it became only too obvious that physical items and even accomplishments are not forever. In a moment, they can be blown away.
In contrast, spiritual attainments can never be taken away. Even after death, the good deeds a person has done, his Torah learning, and his personal character development will follow him to the World to Come. An act of kindness can never “disappear”. A choice to do good over bad remains forever.
On Rosh Hashana it is written …
My sister was relating to me some stories of deaths resulting from superstorm Sandy. She told me that there was a woman who was driving on Monday night when her car stalled. She and her children ran from the car to knock on the nearest door. At that moment, there was a surge of water and the children were washed away.
My initial reaction (before I even heard the end!) was “What on earth was that lady doing out in her car when all the reports were forecasting a monster storm?”. Certainly, there could be more details that would explain her actions, but at first glance, it would seem that perhaps the deaths of these children could have been prevented.
The next story, however, was of a man who was sitting in his home, doing everything he was supposed to be doing regarding storm preparedness. A tree fell down on his home, killing him instantly.
Oh.
My sister used to say that “every bullet has an address”. In other words, there is no such thing as an accident. If this man was killed in the storm, it is not coincidental. Rather, it is God who grants life, and God who takes it away.
Not long ago, we stood in shul and expressed this idea exactly.
On Rosh Hashana it is written and on the Fast of Yom Kippur it is sealed … who will live and who will die … who by water and who by fire … who will become poor and who will become wealthy …
It is not just some abstract prayer to make sure we spend all day in shul! This is reality! Life and death, quality of life and suffering of death, are not random. They are carefully calculated by the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and yes, All-Kind Hashem.
Rely Only on Hashem
We often experience a false sense of security. Even knowing that emergencies occur, we somehow feel that there will be someone or something who can save us. For example, in a medical emergency we might rely on an ambulance and medical technicians to rescue us.
The stark reality, as evidenced by this devastating storm, is that we can rely on no one but Hashem. Rescue workers were unable to reach people in need of assistance. How many, many people watched their homes burn down, while their cars and possessions floated away. The firefighters, police, and special rescue squads were simply not able to assist in many areas.
This article opened with a story of a home that burned to the ground. Though the firefighters could not save this couple’s home, Hashem chose to save their lives. I would even venture to say that the flooding on the first floor was a blessing in disguise - it kept the wife awake worrying, and ultimately allowed them both to escape the burning home with their lives.
Practical Bitachon
Let’s live every day with the knowledge that Hashem alone runs the world.
Life is precious; we don’t have to wait for the world to be shaken upside-down to appreciate it!
Prioritize: Don’t get sidetracked by all the “stuff” and distractions in this world. Make time for Torah and personal development. That’s why we’re here on this earth, after all.
See also this excellent article by Charlie Harary on Aish.com
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