D’var Torah – September 19

Shabbat Shalom.

I pray this finds you all well.

There once was a man who wanted, as they say, “to save the world.” But yet, he never actually did anything or took any measures to save the world. When asked why he was all talk and no action he replied, “The problems are simply too immense and I’m only one person. Nothing I do will make THE big difference.” And so he continued to do nothing…except for lots of kvetching (complaining).

A senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) I once worked with said, “It’s always important to think in terms of ‘THE’, ‘my’, ‘your’, and ‘a’.”

I thought about what he said as I pondered the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam.” People often translate Tikkun Olam as “repairing the world”, however, that’s grammatically incorrect. If it were repairing the world it would be “Tikkun Ha’Olam”. “Tikkun Olam” better translates as “repairing a world.” Grammar nerds might love this, but most folks will probably say, “What’s the difference? What’s the big deal?” I contend that it’s actually pretty huge.

Most of us will never invent, discover, or accomplish things on the scale of Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, Charles Richard Drew, the Wright Brothers, George Washington Carver, Albert Einstein, or Richard Salk; however, that doesn’t mean that the positive impact we can have isn’t sacred, important, meaningful, or holy.

Take for example the following:

Donating one unit of blood takes less than 30 minutes start-to-finish; however, that one unit of blood can up save three people’s lives.

A can of vegetables costs a couple bucks at most, but for someone who has nothing at all to their name and is living destitute on the streets, that’s lunch, that’s dinner…that’s vital nourishment.

It doesn’t take a ton of skill or resources to knit a pair of socks, mittens, or cap, but for a homeless person shivering on a cold winter night, these items mean, well…the world to them.

Finally, going out, hunting a deer, processing its meat, and donating it to those who have to decide between paying that month’s rent or utility bills might not solve all the world’s problems, but it sure as heck solves theirs in that moment.

These charitable donations (tzedakah), good works (ma’asim tovim), and acts of kindness (gimilut chasadim) might not change THE world, but it definitely helps out someone’s world for the better.

This all goes back to the difference between “a” and “the”. In the Talmud we’re taught the following, “anyone who saves a life is considered by Scripture to have saved an entire world.” (Sanhedrin 4:5)

In this week’s parsha of Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20), we read the following: “For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not heaven…neither is it beyond the sea…But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).

In other words, it is possible to do good and meaningful acts every day of our lives.

Bizrat HaShem, as we approach this new year of 5786, let us not strive to change THE world, but let us try to change the worlds of our families, friends, neighbors, and those around us through acts of love, charity, compassion, and kindness.

Wishing you a Good Shabbos, a great weekend, and Shanah Tovah u’Metukah- a happy and sweet new year.Shabbat Shalom.

Bivrakha,

Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky

Beth El Congregation | 520 Fairmont Ave, Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-1889 (office)