* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Tonight we will commemorate the yahrzeit of Rabbi Sholom Noach Berezovsky, the Slonimer Rebbe, known as the "Netivot Shalom", because he authored the cherished spiritual work of that name.
It is moving to read how — even in these mournful days leading up to Tisha B’Av— he finds a reason for hope.
Here is a quote from his inspirational book:
“On Tisha B’Av we do not only mourn for what we have lost. The Jewish people do not memorialize past events if they have no bearing on our present or future. The reason for our mourning is our refusal to accept our current circumstances.”
In other words, our mourning is not only an expression of longing and grief, but a statement that we do not accept our present situation and want to rectify it; that we long for redemption and a perfected reality.
We refuse to surrender to apathy and the acceptance of a less-than-redeemed world.
Then the Netivot Shalom suggests two ways to think about the sorrow we face in any area of our lives.
He writes: “Crying can lead us in two different directions — to despair and brokenness, or to hope. Our mourning for the destruction of the Temple is one of hope and longing – not for the past — but for what is yet to be.”
And what about a person’s individual sorrow? He writes:
“Sometimes a person will find himself walking in darkness and overcome by despair. But just as the nation must continue to believe in redemption, so too must each individual trust that his salvation will come.”
This is to say: Anyone who faces their own personal crisis, brokenness and despair can learn from our nation’s response to tragedy how to contend with their own situation.
And he ends his words with a penetrating insight:
“The worst possible thing is that a person comes to accept his current situation.”
May we refuse to accept our situation — both on the national and individual level — and strive for redemption.
May his memory be a blessing.
