I’m Leaving the Country!

A man says to his friend:

If Trump wins I’m leaving the country!

If Biden wins I’m leaving the country!

Whoever wins, I’m leaving! Nothing to do with anything. My wife and I decided it’s time for a vacation.

*****

People are walking around worried and stressed out over the political climate; and it’s unhealthy, and unfair. To themselves mostly.

In my Yom Kippur sermon this year sermon I paid tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. How meaningful that this great woman of justice returned home to heaven on the Day of Judgement...

I admire Justice Ginsburg, not because I necessarily agree or disagree with her approach to things. I admire her because of her ability to carry on true friendships with those she totally disagrees with. Justice Ginsburg held very firm legal opinions on one side of the “political aisle”; but that it didn’t stop her from a decades-long friendship with Justice Scalia, a man whose views were diametrically opposed to hers. That’s admirable, very admirable. And quite uncommon nowadays. I think we ought to take a lesson here.

Never before in my adult life do I recall anywhere near the polarized political environment we are experiencing currently. We’ve become so emotionally charged about things to the point that anyone on the other side is “obviously” deemed to be, not only wrong, but also evil… It makes one wonder, where have we gone wrong?

These two great legal minds, long time Justices on the Supreme Court of the United States, weren’t merely followers of two polar opposite schools of thought; they could’ve ‘written the book’ on their respective views. Yet, it didn’t destroy their friendship. I’d venture to say it likely enhanced it.

Great minds need not necessarily think alike. Intelligent people tend to be open and interested in new ideas, so they welcome the opportunity of hearing opposing views; what better way to sharpen one’s mind or broaden their knowledge. But when things becomes personal and petty, there’s no respect or even tolerance for another opinion. Instead, there is utter disdain, anger, even hate towards anyone harboring even a slightly different viewpoint. This isn’t kosher. It’s not ok, it’s not humane or decent; it’s certainly not Jewish.

The political process is important, and we owe it to ourselves and to our country to participate in it. However, let’s not lose perspective here. Let’s not allow politics to completely overtake our minds and hearts to the point that we are drowning in worry and anxiety, leaving no emotional energy for ourselves and our families.

Many of you have been telling me how worried sick you’ve become over this to the point that you can’t concentrate on anything else, you can’t even get a good night’s sleep. We’re taking this way too personally, allowing ourselves to become way too emotionally charged. Everyone I talk to is absolutely positive the world will come to an end on November 4th if their man didn’t win. It is affecting our health and emotional well being. In many cases it is destroying friendships, even marriages. Not good. Not good at all. And foolish too!

Dear friends, I suggest we all take a very deep breath… G-d hasn’t left the cockpit. “The hearts of kings and rulers are in the hand of G-d” (Proverbs 21:1).

Spending every extra waking hour focused on the 24 hour news cycle, making ourselves emotionally vulnerable to every news story and tweet as if the entire world depends upon it, is useless and unhealthy. Our over-obsession and constant worrying isn’t going to make a difference one way or the other. The only thing it’ll accomplish is negatively affect our own mindset and attitude, and that of those closest to us.

*****

In my 20’s I took a ride to Miami Beach with three friends to attend a classmate’s wedding. We arranged for a “drive away” because it was the cheapest way to get us there. We figured it would be no problem making the long trip; with four drivers in the car, we’d each have ample time to nap. Problem was, one of us (not me, promise…) had difficulty trusting anyone else behind the wheel so he didn’t sleep a wink. From the back seat, he kept his eye on the road the entire trip as if his safety depended upon it. What did he accomplish? Nothing at all. And he arrived grouchy, overtired and filled with anxiety and stress… Sound familiar?

*****

Our modern lives have afforded us lots of free time. Which I believe may be the culprit behind much of this overdose of misguided focus and negative energy. We need to find alternatives to the overdose of bad news coming at us 24/7.

Let’s take control of our attitude and frame of mind. Read a book, spend some time each morning in personal prayer, meditation and mindfulness, take on a extra hobby, or simply change the channel to something lighter, giving yourself a break from the onslaught of the constant barrage of political commentary...

I invite anyone in the community to join me for my upcoming adult education courses: “Positivity Bias” which begins this Sunday and continues for 5 consecutive Sundays 11am-noon via zoom. Visit chabadpw.org for information and to register for the course.

Let’s “take back” our minds and hearts... They are our most valuable G-d given gifts.

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The story is told of a sage living in Russia in the 1890s, who was visited by two of his students from the city of Odessa, who travelled to the safe for inspiration and guidance. Before returning home they each had a turn for a private audience.

The first one enters the room and is asked by the sage: What’s happening in Odessa? To which he replies that things aren’t in a good way at all in Odessa. No one makes time for study or communal prayer. Everyone is busy with their own material affairs and are living lives that are uninspired and shallow. The sage blesses the man and sends him on his way.

Then the second one enters the room and the sage asks him the very same question: Tell me what’s happening in Odessa? The man’s face lights up as he begins to give a detailed account of all of the wonderful communal activity taking place. Everyone is busy studying meaningful texts, making time for heartfelt prayer, celebrating each other’s family milestone celebrations, caring for each other’s needs with free loan funds and visiting the sick. In a word: Odessa is inspired! The sage gives the man a broad smile, along with a gold coin to help with his expenses.

When the man leaves the room and his friend realizes what happened, the first man walks back into the sage’s study, unannounced, demanding to know why he didn’t get the gold coin. Why was he being penalized for telling the truth while his friend chose to embellish it? This isn’t fair!

The sage looked deeply into the man’s eyes and said to him: “I know full well what the situation is in Odessa. I didn’t need neither you nor your friend to tell me what’s going on there. My question to each of you was merely this: IN WHICH ODESSA ARE YOU LIVING; one of cold self centeredness, or one of meaning and inspiration.”

Friends, 2020 has been a challenging year, that’s for sure! It’s testing us in ways we haven’t been prepared for, with the pandemic, the riots, and one of the most tense election cycles of our lifetimes. But when we look back at it in years to come, we’ll each be able to ask ourselves: IN WHICH 2020 DID I LIVE? Did I live in a 2020 of despair and anxiety, or did I choose to live a 2020 focused more on what really matters in life, realigning my values and deepening my relationships with G-d, my own soul, and those nearest and dearest to me!

*****

My teacher and mentor, the famed Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson of righteous memory, would so often say: TRACHT GUT VET ZEIN GUT – THINK GOOD & IT’LL BE GOOD! Let’s keep it positive and light. G-d is in charge, no need to worry!

Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel