"I have no intention of dying so long as I do things. And if I do things, there is no need to die. So I will live a long, long time," said Albert Schweitzer.
In the book of Proverbs we read, “tzedakah saves from death.” The same caption is emblazoned on the tzedakah box in our library. What do the words, “tzedakah saves from death,” mean?
A story is related in the Talmud about the daughter of Rabbi Akiva. It was prophesied that she would die on her wedding day from the bite of a poisonous snake. The day of her wedding came and passed uninterrupted. “What did you do to avert the prediction?” she was asked. “I do not know, but on the day of the nuptials a stranger came to the door needing food and money. I fed him and gave him what he needed,” she explained.
Akiva understood that the actions of his daughter prevented the Angel of Death from taking his daughter.
Question: Is this true? Can we stave off the arms of death by being benevolent? By doing acts of tzedakah?
Each of us has experienced great pain these past weeks. The invasion of Israel by the Hamas terrorists left us dazed, angry and deeply concerned. The right would tell us to check our mezzuzas. That prophylactic would prevent evil from touching us. The left declares that the victims are to blame for the terrorist’s despicable violations. We know the truth: we do not hold the reigns of death and cannot stay its hand and we cannot control human behavior.
Life can be lived or endured. We can choose to live a life that matters or grit our teeth and get by making as little disturbance as possible, hoping to pass unnoticed. Judaism’s response is unequivocal. What we do matters. How we behave creates not only our character but the way we view and interact with our world. It urges us to be invested in our world and work to change it for the better.
We were not granted life to simply live but provide balance and order in a world that is often chaotic. “Tzedakah saves from death” is the hallmark of the Jew because it keeps us fully engaged and alive.
The Talmud tells us to say one hundred blessings each day. Why? We say blessings for good things we experience and perform. So, the only way a person is enabled to recite one hundred brachot is to be active in seeking out ongoing opportunities to be “just” (that is the real meaning of tzedakah…i.e. it is not just giving money). Every meeting, each encounter and event is another chance to not die but live fully. When we take time to act righteously the life force in us becomes an indomitable spirit infusing us with a vitality that validates the gift of life we have been granted.
So, what do we do with the vile actions of those who breathe violence and hate? How do we move ourselves out of a sense of helplessness and become a force of being fully alive? Not a helpless victim but a person who rises to grasp life.
Ø Give to causes that directly support those most affected by the terrorism. The easiest path is to give to the Federation and earmark the funds for Israel.
Ø Adopt a family or person that has been murdered or abducted. Support the survivors and let them know they are not alone and will not be forgotten. You can find the names of the kidnapped here: #KidnappedFromIsrael
As you know from know from your own wounded experience when people reach out to you the loneliness, isolation and pain are assuaged. When no one calls, writes, or connects the pain is exponential.
Ø You often hear, “I will pray for you.” Make it real. Pray for the victims and let your children and grandchildren hear the prayers that you utter. Pray with them. Besides sending strong missives to heaven you are teaching a profound and lasting lesson to the next generation; one they will never forget.
Ø When people and the press seem to have a lapse of memory on what precipitated these horrific events, remind them and yourself of the mass murders, the executions, violation of women and torture of innocent civilians, guilty of only being Israeli.
"I have no intention of dying so long as I do things.” Embrace life. It is your life’s meaning, destiny and call.
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