Rabbi Perl Urges Radicalism! Yes, You Read That Right!
Maybe What the World Really Needs Is a Different Kind of Radical
I have recently discovered something rather disturbing about myself.
Apparently, I am a radical.
This came as quite a surprise. At this stage of life, my idea of rebellion is eating something my doctor told me not to, staying awake past my bedtime, or occasionally pretending I didn’t hear my family’s very sensible advice.
But apparently, I qualify as a radical. And here’s the surprising news: You may be one too!
Before anyone alerts the authorities, cancels our invitations, or quietly removes us from the family group chat, allow me to explain.
The word radical comes from the Latin radix, meaning root. Originally, to be radical meant to go back to the roots, to the very foundation of something.
Today, however, the word conjures up images of extremism, anger, division, and people shouting at one another from opposite ends of the universe.
But perhaps the radicalism our world desperately needs is not about moving farther toward the edges. Perhaps it is about digging deeper toward the center.
Judaism has always understood the extraordinary power of roots.
The Torah compares a human being to a tree of the field. And every gardener knows that the higher a tree hopes to grow, the deeper and stronger its roots must become.
For the Jewish people, those roots reach back to Abraham and Sarah, to Mount Sinai, to the Torah, and to generations who preserved faith, kindness, and moral courage through every imaginable challenge.
But here’s the beautiful thing about roots: They don’t keep a tree trapped in yesterday. They give it the strength to grow tomorrow.
That may be one of Judaism’s most radical teachings. The deeper our roots, the greater our capacity to blossom into something new.
Consider how remarkably relevant the ancient Torah remains.
How should we treat a stranger? What do we owe the poor? How carefully must we speak about others? What responsibilities come with freedom? How do we disagree without destroying one another?
And perhaps the most radical teaching of all: Every human being is created b’tzelem Elokim — in the image of G-d.
Imagine if we actually lived that way!
The person who disagrees with me is not automatically my enemy. The individual whose opinions make my blood pressure rise is still a human being possessing sacred dignity.
Now that would be radical!
So perhaps it’s time for a new radical movement.
Let’s become radically decent. Radically honest. Radically grateful. Radically generous. And yes, radically respectful.
In an age of instant outrage, being slow to anger is radical. Keeping your word is radical. Giving charity is radical. Honoring your parents is radical. Admitting a mistake is radical.
And actually listening to someone with whom you disagree? That might soon qualify as a revolutionary act!
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that every person has the power and responsibility to transform the world through even one additional act of goodness and kindness.
Think about that. You don’t need to overthrow anything to become a revolutionary. You can begin by lifting someone up.
True radicalism doesn’t have to tear something down. It can build something beautiful.
It can feed a hungry neighbor, comfort a lonely person, forgive an old grievance, or simply ask, “How can I help?”
And here is the greatest paradox of all.
Going back to our roots does not mean going backward.
A tree teaches precisely the opposite. Its roots are buried in the past, but its branches are reaching toward the future.
Maybe our world doesn’t need more people shouting about change.
Maybe it needs more people living that change, one good deed at a time.
So go ahead. Be a radical!
Be radically kind. Be radically compassionate. Be radically committed to making somebody else’s life better.
Because our world doesn’t need more extremism.
It needs something far more revolutionary.
It needs people with deep roots, open hearts, and the courage to do good.
Now that’s a radical idea worth spreading!
