What. A. Week. If you had to encapsulate this whole experience in one word, what would it be? I'm choosing unforgettable. Not scary, unsettling, crazy, or desperate. And here's why: This week we have seen this virus disrupt our lives. Last night was our But is life really going to the movies? Is life attending a concert? Our assumption of what life is has been totally rocked. Over the last week, we have all had a hard reset on what Life is truly about, what is meaningful, what is essential. We have had time to reflect on our blessings, to appreciate the beauties found within the challenge, the abundant silver linings. The layers have been stripped away, exposing us to the purity and essence of relationships, values, and interactions. We lift our hands in collective surrender, acknowledging that as many technological and scientific advances have been made over the millennia, we can ultimately rely on Hashem alone. So this Shabbat, the Shul may be empty, yet our hearts are full. We may not be in the same room, but we are together stronger than ever before. There may be a virus spreading, but our care, compassion, and kindness will spread faster, farther, and stronger. Haman rose up to annihilate us? Not to fear, Esther is there to save the day. Pharaoh enslaved us for hundreds of years? Not to worry, Moshe is there to split the sea. Can Hashem help us get through this one? Absolutely! We're all home this week. We're having dinner. Turn off the news, dress your finest, gather your family, take a candle or two, and kindle the Shabbat lights. The world needs it now more than ever. May each and every one of you be blessed with a healthy week, and may all those who need, be blessed with a complete recovery. May Hashem comfort the Forster family, and may the memory of Sura Chava bas Dovid and Miriam be for a blessing.
biggest non-event of the year (with 700 tickets sold before coronavirus altered its path). Today, I officiated a funeral without the customary Minyan, streamed virtually to the family and friends. Each of us has had our lives completely thrown up in the air. No movies, no dining in restaurants, the kids have moved to virtual schooling (hooray for no commute!), you can't even work in Starbucks! What happened to life as normal?
And how magnificent it is that the precautions that many of us are taking, is out of care for others. Senior hours at supermarkets, visiting Bubby and Zaidy only over the computer, going on errands so folks can stay safely in shelter. My kids will doubtless remember this life lesson; that though they may not be at serious risk, we all share a social and mitzvah responsibility to do everything in our power to help another, even a complete stranger.
ב"ה