This week has been a consequential one to say the least. Earlier this week was the election and just yesterday we saw horrific images of Jews being beaten on the streets in Amsterdam. Both of these stories, among other big recent events, have affected many of us deeply. If you’re concerned about the direction in which the world is headed; whether the election results have you jubilant or depressed, the effect it should have on our life is the same. But first let me tell you a story. After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, many in Israel were feeling terribly down and depressed. Israel had won the war but at very high cost and there was a deep sense of disillusion in the country. Around that time, former Israeli Chief Rabbi Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau had the opportunity to visit the Rebbe. At their meeting the Rebbe asked about the sentiment on the street in Israel. What were people saying? Rabbi Lau replied that people are asking, “What will be?” The Rebbe grasped Rabbi Lau’s arm and said that Jews never ask “what will be?” Jews ask “what are we going to do?” If you’re worried about antisemitism and hatred; whether you’re disappointed by the election results or happy about them, the question we have to ask ourselves is “what am I going to do”. And the answer should be mainly the same: I’m going to focus on strengthening myself spiritually, I’m going to reach out to others and support them the best I can and I’ll do what I can to ensure the betterment of my community. We don’t know what the future holds but if we all maintain this attitude and mindset, we’ll be well on the way to securing a better future for all of us.
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