MAKE THAT CALL

Harav Y. Reuven Rubin Shlita

At the time of writing these lines, I sit in isolation. I never sought to, but then the Eibishter has His plans. Something was eaten in China and now I sit stuck at home whilst the world whizzes by. Trouble is, it isn’t really whizzing along as per usual is it?

We are all facing challenges due to this virus, and our davening is needed more than ever. During this difficult period we must find ways to lift the spirits of our brethren, and reach out to those stuck in loneliness and fear.

After the petira of my Rebbetzin AH we created a volunteer program that seeks to help those often forgotten by the greater community and are lost in the shuffle of the kehillah tapestry.

With the current onslaught, we have had to grow rapidly so as to keep up with the needs of so many finding themselves lost in these turbulent times. Named “Chaiky’s Network” the ladies involved have been working hard despite all the difficulties each family are experiencing. They have even created a technological outlet where they have placed different schooling opportunities for the kids stuck in the house, and activities for hiemisha families who can’t leave home.

We are all asking what we can do in these circumstances. Hashem is calling us, yet we are overwhelmed by answers. One thing is clear, it is a time to do chesed, now!

Pick up the phone, make that call that you keep putting off. You know, the one to that old friend, or the misplaced cousin you only see at weddings. Many are now in isolation, and it seems more will soon be.

It may sound simple, you get to learn more, catch up on cleaning those drawers before Pesach. However, it’s not at all that easy. Your head is filled with angst and worry, every cough takes on a sense of foreboding. You feel tired because sublimely, your brain is in overdrive. What will you do with Pesach? How will the kids come from America? How? When? Why? So many questions dancing on your brain and more, yet there are no answers.

Take innocent friends and family, separate them from the community. Who would have thought?  This has come so suddenly, and no one knows what is coming next.

I walk about my home, the walls silent, I try, I reach out to those I can think of, and it gives me chizuk. We recently received this:

“Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”

Take a few minutes, send a message, make a call. For those of us trapped at home, come out of yourselves and reach out to others.

The Rebbetzin AH was a genius in touching others on a human level. We often feel unable to be real, so maybe, being isolated will allow you to open your heart and give of yourself without second guessing others motives.

The Eibishter is shaking the world at its foundations, we Bnei Yisroel are chosen as His children. The best way to dissipate this chaos is by bringing illumination thru positive acts of kindness.

I can’t help but think what the Rebbetzin Chaiky would be doing now. She would be on the phone, that’s for sure, and she would be giving me chizuk when I would feel a bit down. Some may be taken aback, a Rov admitting he gets down, but then, I had a humane Rebbetzin for over half a century and she would understand.

Sorry, I know it may be tedious when I touch on this subject. But, I am in quarantine, and I can’t help but think she would get it.

We need to help each other, please, let us not allow this nisoyon to break us.

Be strong sweet Yidden, reach out, and do it now.