B”H
Message From Rabbi Jaffe
Jan 14, 2011 / Shvat 9, 5771
Loved ones have been lost, lives have been shattered however in the midst of this great devastation an unprecedented outpouring of help, camaraderie and compassion have arisen. We note the countless wonderful selfless acts of dedication and perseverance to come to the rescue of our fellow citizens.
It is at a time like this that we look inwards and ask ourselves why it must take a tragedy for people to bond together. The rallying call of the 21st century is for humanity to heal a fractured world; for families and communities to come together, not just when things go so terribly wrong but even and all the more so, when life is on an even keel.
Even as we try to navigate through this devastation, let us look towards our loved ones, our families and communities and resolve to avoid any conflicts and, if any, to mend any broken relationships and subscribe for a better more peaceful tomorrow.
It is heartwarming to witness the countless Jewish individuals who have volunteered to help. Many Jewish organizations have offered to help and indeed have already set the ball rolling, such as The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, the Queensland Jewish Community Services, Chabad of RaRa and Sydney Yeshivah’s Our Big Kitchen who are preparing Kosher food for distribution.
This Shabbat is Shabbat Shira (The Shabbat of song), celebrating the exodus of the Jewish people out of the ancient land of Egypt. It is also the 60th anniversary of the leadership of the Chabad Movement by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn and under these propitious circumstances, it is significant to mention that the Rebbe has delegated over 2500 emissaries to teach all over the world that simple acts of goodness and kindness performed by millions of people would hasten the advent of Moshiach (the Messiah) and the final redemption, which will put an end to all the miseries of the world.
The Rebbe has on countless occasions taught us that we are at the threshold of the final redemption. In many ways one can hear the footsteps of Moshiach.
The Rebbe teaches that at all times, and in particular during periods of crises and tragedy, if we reach out to one another with even simple acts of goodness and kindness, we can tip the balance and transform the world from darkness to light. It is this spirit of selflessness and giving that we are witnessing here in Queensland in the aftermath of our great devastation.
When we look around us it is remarkable that we see that all the forces such as the Army which were prepared and singled out for military purposes are being deployed to help the afflicted and to rescue life rather than to combat other human beings, to save property rather than to destroy property which confirms the biblical prophecy that at the end of days the sword shall be beaten into the ploughshare.
May we merit salvation, each one individually, every family, every community and indeed the whole of humankind.
This Shabbat make it an exceptionally holy Shabbat, a special prayer, read more psalms for the blessing of our brothers and sisters, from all races and religions and from every single ethnic group, in distress and those who have selflessly volunteered to help them and for all those individuals who have and will donate funds for those in need.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Levi Jaffe