I hate to turn on the television news or to check my phone or ipad when I get frequent news updates. The news is terrible. Every day I am bombarded with disaster, injustice, and violence beyond anything I can imagine.
I am terrified for the people in Nepal and saddened by the enormous loss of life. I read about Americans and Israelis stranded there and fear for their well-being. Not to mention, the population of the country and the hardships they face as they battle severe weather conditions with their infrastructure in rubble.
And what can I say about Baltimore? As the story unfolds and the violence escalates, I feel hopeless about what is happening. “Black lives matter,” is ringing in my head from chanting crowds as we watch the altercations between police and citizens happening in locations across our country. I am transported to another time in history and can’t believe we have not learned these hard lessons.
So what do I do about all of this? Where do I find solace? I find the answers in this week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim. The portion tells us that we are a holy people because God is holy. That declaration is followed by a list of laws that we must follow to make sure that we are fair, just and living holy lives. We are commanded to leave food in our fields and vineyards for people who are hungry. We may not steal or defraud our neighbors. We must not favor the rich over the poor. But it is the following words that hit home for me in light of all that is happening in the world. “You shall not hate your kinsman in your heart. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countryman. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Lord”.
I wonder how I can possibly make a difference. How can I show how much I love my neighbors? I can’t go to Nepal or Baltimore of any of the other places that have experienced tragedies. But I can reach out and make a difference in my own community. I can make sure that I help hungry neighbors in Charlotte find a meal. I can help a homeless family move out of the shelter with supplies to begin a new life in their own home. I can provide low-income students with toys and books to make their summer better. I can provide activities for sick children in the hospital at a time of despair in their lives. And you can, too. We all can.
Mitzvah Day is May 17th and I promise you that if you donate needed items and volunteer with your families to work any of the projects we support that you will reap benefits far greater than you can imagine. It is powerful to know that something you are doing can impact the lives of others in such a positive way. Teaching your children that they can make a difference in the world is a true gift. They will become better humans. They will learn to be compassionate and caring to those in need or who are hurting. You will all follow the commandments in the Torah and “Love your fellow as yourself”.
Please click here to register for Mitzvah Day and consider bringing a donation for one of the projects listed. Hopefully, together, our deeds can help heal a world that seems to be falling apart.
