"A person is obligated to say, 'The world was created for me’." This statement from the Talmud is our instruction on how we are supposed to look at the world. On the face of it the sages are telling us to view everything through the lens of personal needs. Doesn’t this advice seem a bit arrogant and egotistical?
Actually, the sages are trying to convey the opposite. If we view our surroundings, taking personal responsibility for all that is, we will be more appreciative and deliberate about how we treat it. After all, who would throw dirt or empty containers on their carpet? Who would treat their personal possessions with derision? And we see this kind of indiscriminate behavior around us. The Talmud is advising a different attitude.
We are not supposed to see the world through the lens of selfishness but responsibility. The world was not created to absorb our abuse but garner our appreciation. Thus, we acknowledge that “the world was created for me’” as a reminder that everything that exists is a gift. Just as we repair our car, paint the house, mow the lawn, so too we are supposed to treat every encounter as if it belongs to us. Nobody will come along with a lawnmower and do it for us! We take care of our possessions because we are responsible for them. Likewise, we have a unique responsibility to the world. It belongs to us.
Legend: Two Angels were dispatched by God to gather sentiments and bring them back to heaven. Descending to earth the first angel was instructed to gather complaints and criticisms while the second collected thanks and gratitude.
When the two Angels completed their assignment and returned to their Maker the first Angel carried a basket overflowing while the other was almost empty.
Hanukkah is a time of celebration, the uplifting of light and illuminating dark days with rays of hope. Who does not feel the lightness and joy touch their soul during these days of celebration?
And yet. How do we merge with the joy of the season when there is so much evil in the world? When we are overwhelmed with evil carried out by the nefarious enemies of Israel? Does this sound like we are speaking of the Maccabean revolt against the virulent hatred of the Syrian--Greeks? Or the wicked Hamas bent on abuse and murder?
History does have its way of repeating itself because people give vent to their worst impulses. What Hamas did to us has happened before. That is why the brilliant minds of centuries ago taught that from life’s inception we are to cultivate gratitude for everything. With an attitude of appreciation, we develop different insight: we see life as full of opportunity and meaning even when it is dark….or especially when darkness descends over the world.
Our task is to never release our grip on hope. That is why we light candles on Hanukkah. That is why we refuse to canonize the wars of the Maccabees. War is not glorious. Instead, we tell tales of light; we speak of defeating evil even when the odds are against us; and we bless God even as we mourn.
A prayer: Let me be in Your eyes and in mine, Lord, a vehicle of goodness and generosity and not of despair.
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