Behaviors and Models

Recently a Dag Nachash song was playing and a line that really stood out for me was:

” Zman Lhitorer” = time to wake up/ time to become aware.

So much of what we see in the news these days is about behavior out of control. There’s just so many bad behaviors out there!

A pilot breaks down a bathroom door and yanks out a young religious man exposing him to the other passengers and flings anti-Jewish, antisemitic rhetoric at him. This is our pilot? This is the one we trust to guide our plane to its next destination? Our role model, a man we expect to be responsible and respectful for the well being and safety of ALL passengers — to treat everyone as human beings.

Recently a Steward demanded that a mother take out her infant’s ventilator… then later apologized after it came to light.

The former president of Columbia University denied that there was ever any antisemitism on campus… really what an irrational, ignorant and irresponsible statement. Educate your students to lie?

There has been an overflow of crazy malevolent, violent out of control protests everywhere — especially on college campuses.

With the new laws we are often throwing innocent people into jail, unheard, and in a way that is so ugly, No one deserves to be mistreated.

Anything goes. What has happened here? Say what you want , do what you want .. no boundaries, no censoring of the tongue, No regard for others, no respect for others, no reflecting on behavior and modeling behavior for others.

A friend of mine said: “Enough blaming this on the pandemic… that’s a lame excuse… just BE responsible.”

As we are celebrating Passover we reflect on a true model: Moses. Moshe Rabeinu.

He stepped up and did what it took. He lead well, he defended and fought for the nascent nation, for the people. He was a GREAT role model. the rock was a difficult moment and yet a learning moment for us all.

And we… the Jewish nation also need to learn, yes it is true — we need more unity. What tone are we setting for our children? — how do we desecrate a Jewish Holiday with pitas lining the streets? Is that really a message, is that a modeling of behavior?

Make a sincere  and honest commitment, see things through to completion, stick with a plan. Check your behavior — that is real modeling.

Israel is ranked as #7 of Happiest countries in the world ! Despite the horrific attacks and upheaval since October 7 it is so. How can this be? Despite the beastly lowly behaviors and increased antisemitism towards Israel and the Jewish nation.

”Ubechol dor vador omdim aleinu l’chaloteinu , v’hakadosh baruch hu matzilenu meyadam”

As I have said many times and I will say it again and again. Others want to destroy and we want to build.

My father tzl Rav Yona Munk escaped war torn Europe in the late 1930s and entered into the Holy Land. He joined the Haganah. it is with his hands and the hands of my parent zl generation that the state was established and the infrastructure was developed for the country. This out of the ashes — destruction.

My parents never strayed from their beliefs and  were sincere about their commitment to the nation, to the land, to G-d… and  to mankind.

We are builders. Building yes. it was the post Holocaust generation that built Synagogues, schools, institutions of higher learning and so much more. Out of the destruction they built, and they embraced new opportunities and joy.

And we are:

”Even maasu  habonim”- we are the cornerstone of the builders.

So we build and we build up our happiness. You attack us, we will absolutely defend ourselves, yes we will , it is an obligation. But we really want to build up light, love, faith, happiness and joy.

Chag sameach: A happy , joyous reflective Passover to all.