Spirituality

Torah Portion

Reacting To Joy Or Tragedy:
It's A Matter Of One's Faith

pursuit of which man shall live: I am
the Lord." This sentence is one of the
most significant in the entire Torah.
As the rabbis read it, the Hebrew
words v'chai bahem mean that we
should live by the Torah and not die
by it. Saving a life takes priority over
IV by is it that some people
all but three mitzvot because the
respond to a death in
Torah
is a source of blessing in this
the family with greater
world.
piety, while others are
Yet Rashi notes that the ultimate
driven to greater skepticism?
impact
of keeping God's mitzvot is
Surely the circumstances of a death
not
in
this
material world. We are all
can play a role — tragic deaths shake
destined
to
die. V'chai bahem means
us from a superficial faith. Yet I have
that by living out a virtuous
witnessed families who expe-
life here, we will merit to
rienced horrible suffering
live an eternal life after
with a deeper commitment
death. This verse points us
to their religious faith. What
toward a long-term perspec-
accounts for the disparity in
tive on life.
how we handle loss?
This week we observe
This conundrum has a
Yom HaShoah, and once
happier counterpart — why
again we are seared with the
do some people respond to
pain of tragic loss on a scale
their great fortune with hum-
never known to humanity
ble thanksgiving, while oth-
RABBI DANIEL before. Some survivors
ers become pompous and
responded to the Shoah by
NEVINS
insufferable? The more that I
rejecting their faith in a
Special to the
observe human nature, the
merciful
and protective
Jewish News
more the answer becomes
God.
We
who did not expe-
apparent. The fundamental
rience
their
suffering cannot
.
difference between human
judge
their
response.
responses to tragedy or good fortune
Yet other survivors looked at their
is how we view this world.
losses
quite differently. Nothing could
If we believe that our daily lives are
explain
the suffering, but their
pretty much all that matter, then there
response
of remaining committed to
is little point in making a show of
Judaism
strengthened
them and
humble gratitude. or pious acceptance
allowed
them
to
access
the healing
of suffering. Carpe diem — grab the
perspective
of
a
world
beyond
this veil
day! Rage against the unfairness of
of tears where God's justice is appar-
life's disappointments, and celebrate
ent and His mercy is upon all His
your good times without restraint. If
creatures.
this world_ is all you have, then you
The Book of Job teaches us that no
will naturally respond to the vicissi-
person can measure another's sorrow
tudes of fortune in a visceral fashion.
or explain the cause of his suffering.
Judaism, of course, works with a
What we can do is to support one
very different premise. Our religion
another through times of loss, to help
sees this world as a preparation for the
each other celebrate simchot appropri-
world to come. Simchot such as
ately, and to remember that this world
births, b'nai mitzvah and weddings are
is a preparation for the eternal realm
celebrated because they are passages
of truth, Olam HaEmet.
into a life of greater holiness. Losses

Shabbat Acharei Mot:
Leviticus 16:1-18:30;
Amos 9:7-15.

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are mourned, even when the deceased
lived a full and fortunate life. Yet,
beyond the moment of sadness or joy,
Judaism teaches us to view life
through a long-term perspective, start-
ing with creation and leading to ulti-
mate redemption.
Our Torah portion gives us the
example of Aaron, who carries on as
Kohen Gadol despite the tragic death
of his sons Nadav and Avihu. Then, at
18:5, we are commanded, "You shall
keep My laws and My rules, by the

Issue Date:

May 16, 2003

--

Daniel Nevins is a spiritual leader at
Adat Shalom Synagogue.

Conversations

Read the Book of Job. Does God
want us to accept our suffering
without question, or is there an
even more faithful response?
What is the most productive
counsel for friends of the
bereaved? When to speak? When
to sit in silence_

„

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