How much of a difference do I really make?
Often we find ourselves asking this exact question, as we see the world around us and the range of issues, needs and situations that require a tremendous amount of work and fixing. All too often we tell ourselves to chill out and be realistic and just accept reality. Just last week the new Pew Study came out with its stunning statistics regarding both the amount of Jews in the US and the rate of assimilation and attrition. When reading the clamor of news surrounding this study one can easily begin to be slightly downcast about the state of Judaism in this country.
(Truth to be said I believe that the study didn't do true justice to the amount of people who are actively searching and looking to connect in a deeper manner with their Judaism, who don't necessarily have a label or definition).
Yet when we face situations or when we face situations where the odds don't seem to work in our favor, it is time to think back to where we came from.
Try to imagine the lone child who lived 3700 years ago who began a relationship with G-d and changed the direction and destiny of the world forever. The little boy called Abraham was tested and challenged multiple times and he had multiple reasons to give up. He was up against a sea of people who didn't think like him or care for what he cared for, and he could easily have assumed the attitude why bother, it is a lost cause. Yet this young and determined child defied all odds and began a process that continues to this day.
Abraham and Sarah's impact extends way beyond the 15 Million Jews who descend from them. Indeed the majority of people in the world today have values and beliefs that are influenced and are in some way a result of the process that they began.
When they were childless for so many years, who would have believed that everyone reading this email would actually descend from them, besides the fact that billions of people around the world would know their story.
This week in the Torah portion we once again read about Abraham and Sarah's beginnings and the challenges that they went through. Throughout the story, it is quite apparent that when they faced challenges and situations, their question was never how much should we cry or where should we run. Instead, it was always, what we can do, who we can reach out to next, how can we help these people out etc.
Abraham's Response to the Pew Poll
If Abraham was reading the Pew Poll, you could be sure that he wouldn't be relaxing anymore. Instead he would be out on the streets shaking up the foundations and attitudes of every Jewish organization and educational center. He would be encouraging them to work harder, better and to reach more people.
Yet even more so, Abraham would be reaching out to the people who can really change things, the individuals. He would be telling them, "listen guys, they told me too it isn't going to work, you are just one person, don't expect to make even a dent. Yet, hey look, here we are 3700 years and 15 million people later continuing to do the work and process that was begun by me. Abraham will continue and he will say "bottom line, you are all bearers of my name and each and every individual can do their part to make a difference to their own life and family and to the world around us way beyond they think they can”. Abraham will conclude with his punch line, “it doesn’t all happen at once, and it all starts one person and one deed at a time".
As we read the story of Abraham and Sarah this weekend, let us remind ourselves of their determination and perseverance to G-d, Jewish Values and Deeds and let us too try and continue to find ways to incorporate these ideas into our own lives, so that we continue G-d's mandate at making our own lives and the life of the world around us, a better place, a more spiritual place and ultimately a more divine place. By doing so we are virtually guaranteed that Judaism will be stronger in our personal world in addition to the world and community around us.
Good Shabbos
Yisroel