Earlier this week over 25,000 runners successfully completed an epic Marathon right here in Boston as they faced heavy downpours, headwinds and cold temperatures. As I sat with a relative on Sunday who had flown in from Jerusalem, Israel to run the Marathon, I was feeling terrible as I thought about the crazy weather they were going to have face the next day. Yet despite all the odds, 95% of these well trained people including our uncle, managed to successfully complete a grueling marathon.
The odds may not have seemed right, the conditions may have been crazy, and it may have been easier to just give in and not even bother. Yet that wasn’t what these people did, and instead they succeeded at making a challenging marathon be a smashing 26.2 mile success.
Israel
Along the lines of beating odds even when they are stacked against you, my mind traveled thousands of miles away to a place and country that I love dearly, Eretz Yisroel, the Holy Land.
While we take Israel and its flourishing and successful Jewish life for granted, it is truly a daily challenge that has so many odds stacked against it. I don’t know of any other place on earth that has people bent on trying to destroy it and its population every single day. Yet this little thin sliver of land, which is sandwiched in between so many countries who treat it like a bone stuck in their throat, is somehow flourishing and succeeding and now a home for over six million of our brethren.
Yes surely Israel is a country of hard working people, who are creative, determined to defend themselves, and ambitious and risk takers, yet at the same time, as Jews we are grateful to G-d, whose blessings and protection are obviously helping protect Israel and enabling it to flourish as it does.
Each time I visit Israel, I am amazed by the growth that I see everywhere, from the cranes which fill the skylines of every major city, to the new highways and transportation systems, the new innovation, and most importantly, the growth of the people themselves. There are new schools, hospitals, synagogues, Yeshivas, research centers and so much more wherever you go, a testimony to a people who are connected and engaged with the message and meaning of their heritage, while engaging in the now and planning for the future.
Indeed the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps, and as he does so, he watches below and smiles at a people who have so many atmospheric and other conditions working against them, yet at the same time, are full of faith, loyalty and determination to overcome all odds, and make this a smashing 3000 year success.
Lastly, on the topic of overcoming adversity, I would like to give a very big thank you to our three speakers at the Evening of Remembrance this week who embody the idea of overcoming adversity. Thank you to Philip Cohen, Izzy Milkow and Hadassa Kubat who shared their painful yet inspiring stories of trials, tribulations and loss in the Holocaust. Your stories were powerful and left a lasting impact on all people in attendance, and since you spoke, I have not stopped hearing from people who were touched. Yet what stands out for so many people is the lives that you have lived after the war and the noble and good people that you all are. To all of us you represent the ultimate symbol of overcoming adversity and the incredible indomitable Jewish spirit.
Whichever way you look at it, adversity took a big hit this week, and determination and overcoming challenges got a big raise.
May we all be inspired to overcome our perceived and real challenges and be blessed with the ability to turn our obstacles and difficulties into springboards for success.
Good Shabbos / Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel
P.S To read more about the special Evening of Remembrance and to see pictures of it click here.