Are you staying on top of the news these days?
It is truly hard to keep up, between Israel, Antisemitism, the US Elections, and so much more, and it is actually hard to stay on top of all the news.
If anything, the news often seems to pull us down, as it seems to submerge us and subdue our senses, emotions and mental space. In this sense, the news is literally on top of us and it is not always helpful in helping us move forward and focus on our collective and individual purpose, goals and aspirations.
In this sense, the Chassidic Master, the Baal Shem Tov, encouraged people to learn from Noah, to whom G-d told at the outset of the great flood, "come inside the Ark". The Baal Shem Tov explained that the Ark is referred to as Teiva, which also means "word". Meaning in the metaphor of the floodwaters of life which threaten to overcome us at times, we are encouraged to connect with the "words", not so much of the media and news, but more, the "words of prayer and Torah study".
He explained that in doing so, we are not burying our heads in the sand, but actually taking the time to try and stay focused on seeing the bigger picture and goal of humanity. Even when at times it can feel so overwhelming, a healthy perspective can be gained and then used in a good way, by carving out the time for deeper study of Torah, Jewish Thought and or Prayer.
It is this healthy perspective, which helps us not only not get sucked in to the floodwaters, but to instead to learn how to stay afloat, and help us and others navigate the choppy waters.
Ultimately though, G-d tells Noah, to leave the Ark, as although it is important to gain inspiration and perspective, the goal is not to get stuck there, but to then use it to go out and influence the world and its challenges in a better and more meaningful way.
Trying to channel some of our energy and time into some of the above, may not change the news that is happening around us, but it will certainly help us stay focused on remaining on "top" of the news, with a healthy and positive perspective to navigate the path ahead.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel