3 Jewish Responses For This Post-Election, Upside-Down World
Jews around the world are still shaken by the election results in New York City this week, where an openly-antisemitic candidate was elected mayor. No, he doesn’t hide his hatred for our Jewish state; he doesn’t conceal his disdain for our values; and the celebration of his victory in the streets has left many feeling rattled, to say the least.
We are watching a world that seems upside-down. Hatred is too often applauded, morality is too often mocked, and truth is too often twisted.
And yet, at precisely such a moment, the Torah arrives as our eternal GPS, with lessons that call upon us not to despair and panic, and indeed, never to surrender. Here are three essential ones:
- Master Thyself First
Many today believe that their political opinions, their public stances, or their votes alone will fix the world and defeat racism, bigotry, and antisemitism. Yet in the desire to change the world, many forget to change themselves. They champion morality yet treat others with contempt. They march for peace but wage war at home. And they speak of justice, but their behavior is, at times, unjust.
My beloved mentor, Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz of blessed memory, once told me: “The greatest obstacle to me is me. And the greatest obstacle to you is you. But once you learn to master yourself, the entire world becomes easier to master.”
This doesn’t mean that we should withdraw from the public square. On the contrary, if we have real influence on leaders and policies, we must exercise it responsibly and courageously. But we must also remember that genuine and lasting change begins, first and foremost, within ourselves.
This mastery is primarily found in the small moments of life: in the prayer we say with our heart; in the two minutes of full presence with a child and an adult alike; in the self-restraint we exercise before we snap back; in a phone call we make to repair a strained relationship.
Elections shape reality. But it is the work that we do within ourselves and our homes that will eventually shape the world.
- The General of Generals Is Still In Charge
We tremble when we see antisemites elected as leaders. We worry about what they may decree. But one truth will never change: G-d is the Sovereign of history. No mayor, president, tyrant, or movement can overturn the One who “directs the hearts of all rulers,” as King Solomon wrote in his book of Proverbs (21:1).
When General Eisenhower visited the holy Klausenberger Rebbe in a DP camp after the Holocaust, the Rebbe made him wait until he finished praying. The Rebbe then explained to him gently: “I’m sorry, but I was speaking to the General of generals, the Holy One, blessed be He. So the general had to wait.”
So too, today. We act, we vote, we speak, we advocate, but we do not fear. As a hostage who was held captive in Gaza for 498 shared with me just recently: We are warriors, not worriers.”
Our destiny is not in the hands of those who hate us. It is held only by the One who loves us endlessly.
- Never Give Up On People. Never Lose Faith In The Soul.
By Divine providence, this week’s Torah portion brings us the story of Lot. Lot lived a twisted and painful life. He exploited land that belonged to someone else. He moved to the evil city of Sodom. He married someone who despised kindness. And he treated his daughters as mere objects. And yet, Abraham never abandoned him. Why? Because Abraham could see Lot’s Divine spark even when it was buried under mountains of dust.
And in the end, Lot changed. Eventually, he welcomed guests in a city that outlawed compassion. He washed their feet, fed them, and defended them with courage. Just as Michelangelo said that he did not carve David from a block of marble, as he simply ‘uncovered’ him, so too Abraham did not carve a new Lot. He revealed the good Lot that was hiding within all along.
This is a lesson for many in our generation who are so quick to cancel, condemn, dismiss, and delete. But do political opinions matter more than souls? Have we forgotten the commandment to “love your fellow as yourself”? Have we fallen so low that the love that is meant to reside in our hearts has been replaced with animosity and resentment?
Abraham teaches us to hold on, with all our might, to relationships, to hope, to the belief that every soul can shine again.
And so, in such moments when the world feels so dark, let us become the lights. Let us work on ourselves. Let us place our trust in G-d. And let us connect with, and ignite, every soul we encounter.
Our shining light will then undoubtedly dispel this darkness and usher in the ultimate era of peace and redemption. May it happen speedily. Amen.
