A Pogrom in 2024?!

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The Struggle You’re in Today is Developing the Strength You Need for Tomorrow

Kristalnacht came to Amsterdam last week. Just when we thought we were starting to see the turning point of Israel’s War on Terror, last night’s vicious attack of Israeli soccer supporters was a rude awakening to the harsh struggles we are forced to face, even in our supposedly civilized times today.

These events are deeply disturbing: even more painful than the animus of our enemies is the silence of our friends—chief amongst them the failure of Dutch authorities to adequately protect the Israeli fans. Whereas in Anne Frank’s Holland, Jews had nowhere to run or hide, today we have our beautiful homeland, our fierce army and political leaders that are coming to the rescue of our fellow Jews. Never again is now—we must fight back and defend ourselves in every which way that we can. Only through strength will there be peace.

And we indignantly turn to G-d and say “why is this happening to us!?”

In this week’s Torah portion, G-d told Abraham—the first Jew—some very strong words about the Jewish future. Frankly, it isn’t pretty and not anything we would choose ourselves. But it’s a good idea to open the book and see how G-d has informed us of how he chooses to operate.

G-d notifies Abraham that Jews would suffer tremendously, but in the end, he will cast judgment upon our oppressors and things will turn out better than we ever imagined.

G-d said to Abram:“Know for sure that your descendants will be foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and the people will enslave them and oppress them for 400 years. [Ultimately,] He will also execute judgment upon the nation whom they will serve. After that they will leave with great wealth. (Genesis 15:13-14)

No one ever received a guarantee from G-d that life would be easy. It’s tough out there and sometimes downright dangerous. But in the end, G-d promises us that it was part of His mysterious plan.

We’re introduced to Abraham when G-d tells him to leave his birthplace. Instead of the usual verb “Lech” (go), the Torah uses a double expression- ‘Lech Lecha-“ Go for yourself. Our sages explain that in this double language lies a profound truth that was designed to help Abraham through his struggles as well as each of us, his children, through ours as well.

Instead of the mistaken notion that the purpose of the struggle is to do something for G-d, G-d tells us that we are doing this for ourselves! Lech Lecha means go for yourself: the reason you must struggle is in order to bring out the best in you, to unearth the basement of your soul that you never knew existed! Overcoming this test will help you discover who you truly are and who you were born to become!

We have certainly seen how G-d’s words to Abraham have been precise. We have grown to be a strong and large nation despite being oppressed in countries around the world. We are sure that just as those words have come true, so will the rest of it as G-d promises that he will deliver us from the enemy and reward us with blessings of all kinds.

A King was once concerned about the laziness of his son—the crown prince. Refusing to rise from his bed or even get dressed, he was spoiled rotten. Anxious about his ability to govern the kingdom, his father had no choice but to banish him from the palace. Far from the luxuries to which he had grown accustomed, the young man was now forced to earn his keep and to deliver the goods in order to survive. Slowly and painfully, he learned to cope and even to succeed. A wise prince would thank his father for the challenge; a fool would admonish him.

In a magnificent letter written in 1934, just seven years after his unspeakable suffering at the hands of the Communist government of Russia, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Rebbe of Chabad, spoke of the reason why G-d allows us to suffer. These words could only have been written by a Jewish sage who had personally suffered so much:

Divine providence sometimes puts a person in a situation that changes his nature, and gives him the ability to rise to new levels … The most impactful experience on a person’s life and on the development of his character is when he must struggle for the sake of his values, and especially when he must contend with those pursuing him for upholding his faith.

Although such an experience is full of difficulty and hardship—it is rich in the strong impact it leaves on a person; ultimately those days are the brightest days of his life.

As Jewish people we have suffered so much this past year and there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. But the words of G-d to Abraham ring truer than ever. Yes, you will suffer, things will seem like there is no way out, but know that I am there through it all and I promise you, it will make you stronger, wiser and more united.

You can’t win without sweating bullets during practice. You can’t succeed without burning the midnight oil low. Your challenge was sent by G-d to make you into a champion! Only pressure produces diamonds!

Life is a test and G-d has given you the tools to emerge victorious!

The very first recorded words spoken to Abraham the first Jew— ‘Lech Lecha’—serve as a stark reminder that the purpose of the struggle is to bring out the best in ourselves. The Torah is revealing to us the secret to our success: When you go through difficult times, realise that it’s a test. Don’t be stubborn and inflexible. G-d is sanding you down from your rough edges. Only when facing the mighty millstone, will the olives produce their liquid gold.

Let’s take that knowledge and use it to power our ability to reach the finish line! As painful as it is, see if you can find the courage to embrace your struggle, because without it, you’d have never discovered your strength. Find peace in knowing that it’s part of your journey and that ultimately, you’ve been promised to land on your feet.

Remember that not every season is for growing: some seasons are for planting, others for weeding and planning and just one is for harvesting. You can’t expect to harvest at all times. When the weather is harsh, know that it’s watering the seeds that will become your bounty.

We’re going through tough times today indeed. But remember that tough times don’t last—tough people do. We will overcome this too. Our fighting resolve coupled with our faith will vanquish our enemies and one day soon, we’ll toast L’chaim joyously, as we reflect back on it with wisdom and awe.

We’re going to win this war. We always do.

Rabbi Dovid Vigler
Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens
6100 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
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