From Ashes To Action: 3 Lessons From California’s Wildfires

The harrowing images of California’s wildfires this week have shaken us to our core. Fields and mountains are still burning with raging fires; homes and businesses have been reduced to dust and ashes; and the sky is darkened by heavy smoke and pollution.

“Sometimes, G-d is beyond understanding,” my beloved mentor, Rabbi Adin Even-Israel of blessed memory, once shared with me. Indeed, our finite, human minds will never fully comprehend the infinite G-d. Still, our hearts are shattered with pain.

Yet, within every tragedy, even the most unfathomable ones, there is a lesson to be drawn. And while we cannot reason and understand, we can—and must—learn and respond. So, here are three humble thoughts:

1. Are Fires Good or Bad? 

As the California wildfires have demonstrated, fire can bring havoc and destruction to individuals and communities alike. But fires, such as bonfires and fireplaces in homes, can also bring warmth and comfort.

Same with the spiritual fires within ourselves. Sadly, some people spread flames of destruction with the gossip they spread, with the resentment and animosity that they inflame, and with the negativity that they spew. Alas, they forget that deep within lies a soul, a candle of G-d (see Proverbs 20:27), that yearns to shine and light up our world with goodness and kindness.

The choice is ours. Light a fire of hatred—with your negative words and actions—and you will have engulfed our world with darkness and devastation. Ignite a fire of unconditional love—with your positive words and actions—and you will have repaired our world with grace and with a Divine light.

To paraphrase the words of our prayer: “Console us, O L-rd… My heart grieves for those they killed; I am in anguish, I am in anguish for those they killed. For You, O L-rd, consumed it with our fire (of hatred), and with our fire (of love) You will rebuild it…”

2. The Only Certainty Within Certainty 

Amid the chaos, a powerful reminder emerges: What we may perceive as “certain”—our homes and our physical possessions—are all, in reality, temporary and fleeting. After all, no one has ever taken their material wealth upon leaving this world. That is if those possessions can survive the shifting tides of the economy, the constant moves, and the storms and fires that can sweep them away…

Indeed, after all said and done, the only true “certainty” that will forever remain is the love that we have given, the kindness that we have shown, the wisdom that we have imparted, and the faith and dedication that we demonstrated in G-d and in His everlasting teachings. What about the rest? Well, all the rest, that came from ashes, will eventually return to ashes (Genesis 3:19). In the words of my beloved Rabbi, Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, of blessed memory: “In the end, we will only own not what we took, but what we gave…”

3. “The House Is On Fire, And Our Children Are Inside” 

My beloved Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, repeatedly shared these stirring words with profound urgency and deep pain. The Rebbe was referring to the rampant flames of immorality, lawlessness, and corruption that constantly threaten our world, while our children are trapped within it. Tragically, only a few seem truly moved to take action… 

And so he implored us, time and time again, to rise, to roll up our sleeves, to enter the fray, and to rescue our young ones, and reconnect them with their holy souls, their rich heritage, and their Divine morals and values. As we continue to watch thousands of people evacuating their homes and running to safety, let us do everything in our power to help them and all of our world’s children, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

To help the thousands affected by the California wildfires, give generously to all of the wildfires relief funds, and shake the heavens with your prayers.

To help the millions affected by our world’s wildfires of moral erosion, click and activate your soul, roll up your sleeves, and lift up a downtrodden spirit, heal a broken relationship, do a Mitzvah, invite people to your home for Shabbat dinners or a weekday lunch, visit the sick, listen, serve, and smile more. Make a positive impact in every place, at every moment, and with every interaction. 

Our world, and its children of all ages, are waiting for you.