Transforming the World with True Climate Change
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
It’s been a cold month even here in Los Angeles. The month of Teves is the coldest of the year and a good time to take a lesson from the idea of global warming. Our job during this month is to convert the cold of this world into light and warmth. The end of Chanukah falls out on Rosh Chodesh Teves. Every Rosh Chodesh encompasses the spiritual service of that entire month. Therefore, our avodah in the month of Teves is to take the light and warmth of Chanukah with us throughout the month. Our job is to reveal the light of Hashem in this world with the light of the Torah and mitzvos. Where do we get this ability, in the darkest of times, not only to reveal Hashem’s light but also to transform the darkness into light?
The Previous Rebbe related a story he heard in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek about the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov loved light. Therefore his Chassidim always made sure to light many candles whenever they expected him. On one occasion they had only a single candle and, despite their efforts, could not obtain any more. Knowing how much their Rebbe loved light they were bitterly disappointed by their inability to provide the illumination he desired. When the Baal Shem Tov entered the room, he told his Chassidim to go outside and collect the icicles that hung from the roof. He then instructed them to arrange the 'ice candles' about the room and light them. The ice burned like wax, flooding the room with light. The Tzemach Tzedek was then silent. With a note of yearning in his voice, he said: "For the Baal Shem Tov's Chassidim, ice burned and yielded light”. From this we learn that by having Chassidus and by being connected to the Rebbe, Chassidim have the power to convert darkness so much so that they can even use the cold and the darkness of this world to give off light.
That is fine and good for the great Chassidim of the Holy Baal Shem Tov. But what can we do, where is our power today, in the middle of the political social and cultural darkness and upheavals of 5775-2015? When we look around we ask who is winning? Are we converting the darkness and cold into light, or is the world making inroads into our homes, schools and communities? Take for example the topic of global warming or as it is now being termed more often, ‘climate change’. Even though the true cause of global warming is still legitimately debated there are those that pass on the idea of global warming as already proven. They assume that we, the human race are the sole cause of global warming and that only our intellect will solve it. We have a responsibility to guard the environment but we need to be more honest about the limits of what we can do and rely on the fact that it is Hashem who decrees whether there will be rain or drought, cold or warm, as we daven three times a day in the winter and ask for rain (except for Shabbos). We need to be careful to respect Hashem’s constant involvement in controlling best outcome for the world as we try to find answers to the world’s challenges in general and our lives in particular. The same holds true for what is happening in Eretz Yisroel, with marriage and with terrorism. Do we allow ourselves to be influenced by the theories or the opinion makers or do we bring the wisdom of the Torah to help bring about a positive outcome to the challenges of education, Eretz Yisroel, marriage and yes even climate change.
What does this mean to us in our personal lives? Are we too being affected by the cold or are we warming up and transforming the cold with the light and warmth of the Torah and mitzvos? In our finances do we think that everything is up to us? It’s only up to me to know what to do and that alone brings me wealth? How about our children? Do we give them the message that I make parnasa or that parnasa comes from Hashem in all that we do? Today our youth are being bombarded with messages around the clock from their iPhones their iPads from Twitter and from Facebook much more than the previous generation. Are those messages having an effect on their overall thinking? Are we creating an atmosphere filled with the warmth and light and providing the security of a healthy and growing Judaism that illuminates and converts the cold of today’s world instead of being affected by it’s messages?
On the other hand, do we tell a 23 year old that has the burden of paying his bills and raising his young family to just sit back and do nothing and rely on Hashem? That’s against the Torah. We need to present a balanced picture, it’s not an all or nothing situation. In our communities today we need to accept the fact that there aren’t enough shlichus opportunities and it’s not a one size fits all scenario. If the situation demands we need to support our youth and give them the necessary tools to make a keli, a proper vessel for an honorable parnasa. Then surely Hashem will give them the bracha and the hatzlacha to live a good Chassidishe life as a Lubavitcher Chosid b’nosar, with extra.
So how do we get the strength to go from strength to strength and reveal the light of the Torah and mitzvos and covert the darkness today in 5775-2015? First we need a Mashpia. This means that we first need to realize that being accountable is good for us. We need to take the time to report to our Mashpia and work it through. It makes everything easier and working together with a Mashpia brings a positive outcome. We cannot fall prey to the messages of today’s culture, which tells us to only be answerable to what we think and feel and only to our own needs and wants.
Next it is essential to have to the positive messaging that comes only from set times for learning Torah (Niglah and Chassidus) with a chavrusa. Today there are so many ways to learn with so many resources available that we can easily avail ourselves of, it’s never been easier. We need however to close the door and close the cell phone (if even for a while) and focus solely on the learning so that it will sink in. Next, the Rabbeim teach us that a fabrengen is one of the most effective tools in Chassidishe life and should be a regular part of our lives. When all of these things are active we have the strength to bring it home to our families and our communities to bring about a positive outcome for others and go from strength to strength.
At least once a month we need to sit down and write the Rebbe a letter and place it in Igros Kodesh or send it to the Ohel. It helps for me when I stand in front of the Rebbe’s picture. When I stand in front of his picture I learn my place. I thing about who the Rebbe is, and how he sets the model and the ideal for the best and most positive outcome. Then I look at myself and speak to the Rebbe with honesty about who I am and where I am with all of my faults. Then I tell the Rebbe: “I am your Chosid, you are my Rebbe, I belong with you. We are always together and we are always staying together.” Then it is alive, as this week’s parsha says: “Vayechi Yaakov”. When his children are alive and living in his ways, it’s because he is alive in them.
With this we have the strength not only to withstand the darkness and cold of today’s world and still remain frum but each of us in our own way has the ability and has the job of converting the cold and the darkness into a candle that illuminates the final vestiges of the darkness including the “rigla d’tarmudai- the last forces of darkness that rebel against Hashem and bring about true climate change by changing the climate of this world with the ultimate positive outcome with the light and warmth of the revelation of Moshiach Now!
A Good Shabbos