WHAT CAN WE DO?
Summary of Rabbi Hauer's remarks - Shabbos Chazon
4 Menachem Av, 5766 - July 29, 2006

In this time of great difficulty for the Jewish People, we all must be looking for ways in which we can be helpful. While we are not on the front lines, our attitude must be that expressed in last week's Parsha (32:6), "Shall your brothers wage war while you sit here?" We are here meanwhile, but we cannot afford to sit. We must do our part to assist in every way as the Jewish People confront this monumental challenge.

Rav Chaim Shmuelewitz, Z"TL, Rosh Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim, addressed his students at the outset of the Yom Kippur War. Rav Chaim's students were not serving in the army, and would traditionally go on break after Yom Kippur for the Succos holiday. Rav Chaim called upon his students to consider themselves as part of the front, to take no break, but to instead use every spiritual means to do their part on behalf of the war effort. We - without question - must do the same.

I would like to put forth a few suggestions as to what we can do. I will share first some small efforts we can make materially, and then address the spiritual means we can employ. Recall that Yaakov set the example of how the Jew confronts an enemy by his preparations for the meeting with Eisav. He prepared himself in three ways: appeasement and diplomacy; prayer; and physical preparation for war.

Diplomacy: As Americans we must acknowledge and encourage the remarkable and invaluable support that the United States has been giving to Israel in its current war. Everyone should contact the President and the Secretary of State to express thanks and to encourage their continued steadfast support of Israel. Please call, or write letters with fax and regular mail. E-mail is considered least effective, but does mean something. See contact information below.

The War Effort: There are ways to support and encourage soldiers, and ways to support and encourage the communities on the front lines. The cards and treats for soldiers are appreciated and helpful, as well as specific material assistance. In addition, Tzedaka is always a most valuable merit for the Jewish People. At this most difficult juncture it is especially crucial, not just as a valuable zechus, but as a way to strengthen and support the communities and individuals directly affected by the ongoing attacks. Our support is needed both for those who have remained in the communities under attack and are spending much of their time in crowded shelters, and those who have found it necessary to relocate themselves and their families to other areas of the country. Many of these people are in need of general economic assistance due to this major disruption in their livelihood, as well as specific assistance to make their current abject conditions more livable. There are a number of organizations raising funds for these efforts and we encourage you to support them. Our shul is also undertaking to raise funds and serve as a vehicle for those who wish to see their charity monies go towards this cause. We will be carefully choosing proper ùìéçéí, agents, through whom the monies we raise will be distributed in the most effective manner. Checks can be made to the BJSZ Israel Emergency Fund. We also encourage anyone who can to visit Israel at this time. Tourism of American Jews has dropped very suddenly, and this is both economically devastating and dispiriting to the Jews of Israel. Being there is a meaningful way to help. Think of going on your own, or joining one of the solidarity missions taking shape over the coming weeks.

Prayer and More: Spiritual efforts are the key weapon in our arsenal, upon which our success completely depends. We MUST intensify our prayers; we MUST intensify our commitment to Torah study and observance. Before sharing a few specifics, I would like to make one general comment. What we need more than superficial commitments to glitzy spiritual projects is a real internal effort. Our Sages teach us that our Galus was caused - and will ultimately be healed - not by external failure, but by the failure to truly internalize the values and commitments of Torah. Our spiritual efforts need to be personal and meaningful. Our public efforts and gatherings will prove invaluable when they stimulate genuine change within us, and move us to continued private prayer and study.

Specifics: Gedolei Yisrael, Harav Elyashiv and Harav Shteinman Z"TL, published a beautiful, humbly written letter where they encouraged us to strengthen ourselves spiritually. As they wrote, while we cannot know why these difficulties have befallen us, we can be sure that spiritual efforts can help to improve our situation. They encouraged a greater commitment to Torah study and acts of kindness, especially doing our best to create and maintain peace within our ranks. They also encouraged greater honor for the Shabbos and for the maintenance of modesty.

Harav Simcha Kook and the Bostoner Rebbe, with the blessing of Harav Chaim Kanievsky, have initiated a project to match soldiers and civilians on the front lines with other Jews who will pray for them. This idea is based on the Midrash that says that Moshe did exactly this when he sent the 12,000 troops to fight Midian. In addition to the 1,000 troops per tribe drafted to fight, there were an additional 1,000 drafted to pray for their specific partner on the battlefield. This marriage of the spiritual and the physical war effort ensured that all 12,000 troops returned home safely. As such, they have called for soldiers and civilians on the front lines to provide their Hebrew names for Tefilla, and they are seeking volunteers to undertake to pray for these individuals. To enlist in this effort and receive a name, e-mail maortlmo@bezeqint.net.

Rabbi Elazar Gruenberger of St. Louis encouraged his members to privately write down their commitment for some extra spiritual effort at this time. I think this is an excellent way to bring ourselves to undertake more serious and lasting change.

Whatever you choose to do, please do something. Remember that this is a war that affects all of us, and we must associate deeply with it. In this period of the Nine Days, when we are instructed by the Halacha not to allow ourselves to become distracted from grieving over the Churban, we must not allow ourselves to become distracted from the current difficulties facing our people. Let us act and move ourselves towards truly meaningful, internal change, and may we see a meaningful change in our situation.