The events of today are traumatic and we are all struggling to cope with the enormity of the tragedy.
Our series this year is about Jewish Heroines - one was taken by Hashem today. There are no words to describe the pain; instead I want to talk about Natalie and what we can learn from her. When Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (the Rebbe's wife) passed away, the Rebbe said, "וְהַחַי יִתֵּן אֶל לִבּוֹ" - the living shall take it to heart. There is so much we can learn from Natalie and I want to speak about two things that stand out most in my mind.
1. Natalie was the most positive person - I never heard a negative word come from her mouth in the 20 years I know her. Natalie was a very confident person, and consistent with her values. She was the rock of her family - very tough if you will. And yet, in my mind, she's the epitome of femininity. She knew what she wanted but was always gentle and positive - never aggressive and never uttering a negative word or judgment about anyone. When a person is confident, s/he can look at others with a positive eye. To me, that was Natalie - someone who always looked at others with a positive eye. I venture to say that when with Natalie, most people remained positive and wouldn't speak negatively about others. In that way, she brought out the best in people.
2. Natalie treasured a Mitzvah! A recent example: She had a few good weeks around Purim and she came to hear the Megillah - not just once on Saturday night (the night of Purim), but she was there bright and early at 8:30 on Sunday morning for the day time reading which she knew is part of the Mitzvah. And although there were a few readings that day, she didn't push it off, but went to the first reading of the day because she was eager and didn't want to take a chance of missing it.
We are told in the Talmud that when friends, family or really just anyone does a mitzvah and gives charity for the deceased, it is a special merit for their soul as well as for their family. When we do a Mitzvah for someone who can no longer do Mitzvot on their own, we become their hands and feet and through us she can gain the merit of the Mitzvot we do.
So as a community let's take resolutions in the areas in which Natalie was a true role model - let's enhance our own relationships with others and our attitudes towards others. If we are usually quick to judge, let's stop ourselves and give the benefit of the doubt. If we read things in a negative light, try to see the positive in whatever it is that's bothering us. When we do a Mitzvah, let us see the beauty and preciousness in the Mitzvot and do them with joy. If we train ourselves to act this way, we will be strengthened as a community and lead healthier and happier lives!
This takes courage, but one thing we all saw from Natalie every day in the last 5 years was tremendous courage and inner strength. May G-d comfort Joel, Ruth, Sarah and Rebecca, Lila and Norman and Jennifer and may He bring us to the time when there will be no more suffering or pain with the coming of Moshiach today.
No comments:
Post a Comment