D’var Torah – August 1
– Rabbi Aaron, Rebbetzin Eliza, Goonie, Rilke, Walter, and Stumpy
Shabbat Shalom.
I hope this finds you well.
Fear – it is the ultimate naturally-occurring, organic paralytic. Its effects can put most lab-made substances and drugs to shame. Fear can literally cause people to freeze up, to act against their own deeply-held beliefs, cherished morals, or best self-interests, or to not even act at all. So what are people actually afraid of, what are those sources that induce fear and fright? Throughout history, it has come in a multitude of forms: fear of being judged, fear of being mocked, ostracized, unfriended, blocked, or cancelled, fear of making the wrong call or decision, fear of failure, fear of risk, fear of losing one’s money or possessions, fear of becoming unpopular, fear of injury, fear of retaliation or being fired, fear of not going along with the in-crowd, the flow, for the majority, fear of going against the grain, and even fear of being persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, or killed for speaking up.
Some of history’s greatest sages and most inspiring leaders have implored us to rally against our worst fears.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught, “All the world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is not to be overwhelmed by fear,” and “there is no despair in the world.” [1]
Likewise, FDR famously proclaimed, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” [2]
These are noble, authentic, and beautiful words – no doubt about it – but aren’t, to some degree, these messages and calls to action easier said than done? Honestly, can you seriously expect someone to race into a raging inferno that is consuming a building to rescue people, set sail into the face of a hurricane gale aboard a rickety sailboat, or walk across a frozen lake without any idea if the ice under their feet is solid or thawing; all with the simple, brusk command “don’t be afraid”? How in the world is that possibly reassuring, how is that even remotely inspiring? What is that spark that converts fear into actionable fuel? In this sense, it seems to fall a little flat.
Perhaps this week’s parsha of Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) shows us what the missing element that allows us to grasp onto and unleash our inner courage is. As the Children of Israel, our ancestors, are about to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminds them:
“Have no dread or fear of them [your enemies]. None other than Adonai your God who goes before you, will fight for you, just as [God] did for you in Egypt before your very eyes, and in the wilderness, where you saw how Adonai your God carried you, as a householder carries his son, all the way that you traveled until you came to this place.” (*Deuteronomy 1:29-31)
Later in our people’s history, the prophet Isaiah preached, “Fear not, for I am with you, Be not frightened, for I am your God; I strengthen you and I help you, I uphold you with My victorious right hand.” (*Isaiah 41:10)
There it is, there’s the key…God! God is that element, the answer! When we allow God into our minds, our hearts, our souls, and our very lives, we are imbued with and given access to an eternal and unending spring of holiness, a source of unbridled confidence, a well of ingenuity, a capital of determination, a reserve of resilience, and a wealth of bravery and courage that we never imagined we had or believed possible.
The world can be and often is a very fearful place. However, when we accept God and place Him in our corner, we realize just how much righteous power and sanctified strength we have at our disposal.
When faced with tough calls, challenging situations, and fear-inducing dilemmas, may we always remember to call upon Aveinu Sh’BaShamayim, our God in Heaven, to be our guiding help, our continual reassurance, and our source of strength.
Wishing you a restful Shabbos and an easy fast.
Bivrakha,
Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky
Beth El Congregation | 520 Fairmont Ave, Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 667-1889 (office)