The Divine Reminder

All of Israel is responsible for one another (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shavuot 39a).

Around the same time that we made aliyah to Israel, my cousin moved to France from Canada. Without going into too many details and to make a long story short, he married his second wife who was originally an Israeli and in time they had a daughter.

One night several years ago, I had a strange dream with my cousin’s family as the main characters. In my dream, I pictured a terrible war, one which I couldn’t really see but I understood that it was deadly and all-consuming. I saw my cousin, his wife, and daughter huddled in one room of their home. They were crouched down together with a large tallit (prayer shawl) over their heads and my cousin was holding a siddur and/or Tehillim close to his chest. In my vision, they were safeguarded by these religious items.

When I awoke, my first thought was to call my cousin and tell him what I had dreamed. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a Divine message to them, one which they must take seriously. I asked if he still had his tallit and I told him that if, G-d forbid, there is ever a war, please take the tallit into the room with them and hug together beneath it with the siddur. They should be as precise in re-enacting the dream as possible and they would be protected.

Bear in mind that this was much before antisemitism became a common occurrence in France, prior to the recent terrorist attacks that shook the Jewish communities of Europe. My cousin’s reaction was as to be expected. He politely listened but I doubt he gave it another thought.

I believed at the time that my dream should have been taken literally but now after so many years, I suddenly had the realization that it was an allegory for something much deeper. Yes, it was vitally significant but not as I had interpreted it.  

The tallit which covered the family is a shawl with four corners like a tzitzit, the specially woven fringes. The mitzvah of tzitzit is the equivalent of all the mitzvot combined (Talmud Menachot 43b). It embodies the 613 commandments contained in the Torah which we are commanded to uphold as our manual for life. Wearing a tallit during prayers shows man’s commitment to Hashem and all the Laws He designated for us. “And you shall look upon it and remember all of the commandments of Hashem and you shall do them,” (Bamidbar 15:39). By holding the large tallit over their bodies in my dream, it was declaring that they accepted His statutes and were sanctifying His Name. And in return they would be surrounded by G-d’s loving arms.

The prayer books speak volumes as well. These holy books are a pipeline to our personal salvation. Through prayer, both individualized and prescribed, we are able to connect to the Source of our protection and achieve deliverance from mortal danger. But more important than the earthly, corporeal shelter we seek, it assists us in our eternal, spiritual escape from pain and suffering as well.

By huddling as one, shrouded by the tallit, we also see unity portrayed; the coming together and support of one another. My dream was of just one small family but we, the Jewish people, are one big family. We are responsible and accountable for all our brothers and sisters. When our days on this earth are over and we are exposed before the Heavenly Court will be able to say that we did enough to save others? Did we fight for the souls of those who do not yet see the writing on the wall? Or even if they do, will they be prepared for what is to come?

At the end of days, we are given a Divine reminder that we will have no one to depend on other than HaKadosh Baruch Hu, The Holy One, Blessed is He. The current events unfolding before our eyes are quickly turning this prophecy into a reality. If we don’t strengthen our emuna and understand that G-d, and G-d alone, is in control of our fate, we will be lost. Ain od Milvado – There is NOTHING but HIM.

Israel and the Jewish people are a light unto the nations. We are not only liable to care for our own but for all mankind. Just as Hashem is compassionate, so too must we be compassionate. Just as Hashem is forgiving, so too should we forgive.

I hear all the time, “If I’m a good person, why do I need to follow all these restrictions?” In essence, being a good person is what the Torah is all about so it doesn’t contradict. The Torah demands that we are kind, non-judgmental and honest individuals. The boundaries and protocol are there for our own good and whether we think they are necessary or not, we owe it to the Master of the Universe to give Him the benefit of the doubt and just accept all the details with love. Hashem is Omnipotent and Omniscient. In contrast, our lowly minds comprehend nothing when it comes to the grand scheme of life. Why gamble on eternity?

The meaning of my dream can be summed up by the words of our sages. They instructed us that “Even if a sharp sword is on your neck, do not refrain from praying for G-d’s mercy.” (Brachot 10a). The Sages also counseled that in times of danger Jews should renew their commitment to their faith. If we combine their advice with the teachings of our present day Rabbis who warn us to strengthen our unity and emuna, we will surely help in bringing Mashiach and a peaceful, compassionate redemption.

Something to contemplate before it’s too late.

As Hillel the elder said, “If not now, when?” (Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14)