CCHF Shalom Challenge Day 20: You’re wrong. But you’re my brother.
Today’s challenge: You’re wrong. But you’re my brother. When you bump into someone who thinks or acts in a way that you think is wrong, remember the Shalom Challenge. Remember, he’s your brother. Don’t wait for tragedy to bring us close. |
Transcript |
You may remember a couple of summers ago, when Klal Yisroel united in such a majestic fashion. We heard about Eliana, a girl not yet 2 years old. She needed a life-saving shot that would cost approximately 2.2 million dollars, and the shot had to be given to her before her 2nd birthday. It seemed like the only chance to save her life. I remember the Thursday afternoon when my wife walked into my office to tell me there was a campaign that was started to raise the money. Generally, I try to be very upbeat and optimistic. But, I remember on this occasion turning to my wife and saying, “It doesn’t seem possible! How, in just 3 short days, can Klal Yisroel raise 2.2 million dollars? What’s going to be with Eliana? “ I didn’t realize at the time, but one of our sons – an 8 year old, was standing in the corner of the office, and he heard what I said. And he started to cry ran out of the room. I turned to my wife and I said, “Perhaps I spoke negatively, and perhaps I expressed that maybe, Eliana won’t live – maybe that’s what frightened our 8 year old. A moment later, he came back into the office. Tears were in his eyes, and from behind his back he took out two $20 bills – $40. And he turned to me and he said, “Here’s $40 that I got for presents recently. Take the it and go save Eliana’s life.” And that’s when I realized, yes! Klal Yisroel shows up. We are all brothers. Approximately 20 thousand people united amongst Klal Yisroel to raise the money. The money was raised even before the deadline, and they had to stop accepting contributions. That’s the power of our feelings of being brothers. That’s the power of uniting. Yes, we have different divisions. We have differences in Klal Yisroel. It’s well known, somebody once asked the Chofetz Chaim, “Why are there so many types of Jews? There are Chassidim, there are Misnagdim, Ashkenazim, Sefardim… Why? And of course you know, the Chofetz Chaim, zy”a, answered, “You may as well ask why does the Czar need so many different divisions in his military? He has the army, He has the Navy, He has the Cavalry, He has the Infantry. Why all the different divisions? He needs the different forces to properly wage war, because he is fighting his nation’s enemies. And although each one has a different task, it’s precisely because they have a different task but are fighting for the same cause – that’s why each one is so critical and so necessary!” How we have to remember these words of the Chofetz Chaim, zy”a, to unite, to show up with our brotherly feelings at all times. Yes, sometimes there are differences. However, we have to remember, we’re all on the same side. We all have the same mission. Everyone has to realize that we can live together in shalom and serve the Ribono Shel Olam as one man with one heart. We should indeed be zoche to remember that although there are differences, everyone is such an integral chelek of the brotherhood of Klal Yisroel. And may we continue to unite la’asos retzon avinu she’bashamayim. |
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