Making sense of the unthinkable

This week’s news from Israel has been heart wrenching.? We don’t expect Hamas to act in a human way, yet when they do the unthinkable over and over again, we cry out. How can this happen?? Why is this happening??

Many people whom I have spoken with want to let out their anger and frustration on Hamas and their supporters.? Just flatten Gaza, they say.

Is this the Jewish way?

In this week’s Torah portion of Shoftim, we learn about the analogy, how a person is compared to a tree in the field.? What is the likeness? Perhaps we could find an animal, a living creature, to compare ourselves to, but why a tree?

A tree is planted with shallow roots, yet as it grows the roots embed themselves deeper and become stronger.? Eventually, the tree grows more and more leaves as well as fruit. Our focus is on the fruit or on the benefit of the shade from the leaves, and the roots are easily forgotten. However, if we look down at the ground, we can see how the roots protrude from the ground.

Our sages teach us that the roots represent our emotional wellbeing, our personality traits that are instilled in us at a very young age. As we mature, we continue to learn until we can provide shade and protection to others. Ideally, the fruit of our labor can be of benefit to even more people.

It is important to remember though, as we grow, to never forget our roots. While we focus on how we are helping others, protecting others, we need to constantly remind ourselves about what makes us who we are.? It is not just our actions today, but our moral upbringing, our past.

Because there are humans who act like animals, that doesn’t mean that we, too, should become like them. It is important to take a look at our roots, our upbringing, our heritage, and our Torah.

When we have strong roots, our influence on the world will grow more and more.

Shabbat Shalom

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