I’m sure many of us can remember the exact moment when we learned about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, which came to be known as 9-11. Stunned and overwhelmed by the ever-changing information that was slowly trickling in, we began to digest the horrific magnitude of the events that would change the world. Today, 10 years after the events, they are still impacting our lives in many ways, and they are being referred to by many as “the attacks that changed the world forever”. In fact, it is not unconceivable that accounts of contemporary history will be divided between pre-9-11 and post-9-11.
The Rebbe quotes in Hayom Yom (3 Iyar) that R’ Zushe of Anipoli learned a number of lessons in avodas Hashem from a thief. What lesson, then, can we learn from the 19 depraved creatures, who in a moment of madness destroyed thousands of lives, millions of dollars of property, and managed to wreak havoc on an entire world?
I think that if we were to enter the warped minds of these evil beings, we would find not a drop of remorse or regret for their actions; rather, they are convinced that they have all the reasons and rationale to justify their motives and deeds, indeed, to take pride in their results. In the perverse mindset of them and their kind (and that probably includes much of the Muslim world, right from your President and down . .) the civilized world as we know represents wickedness and sin. The whole country of America, in fact the Western and/or secular culture wherever it may exist, are the epitome of immorality and anti-G-dliness. They are the ultimate destructive force in the world, and need to – in the viewpoint of these wicked beings - be annihilated in order to save the world (שבירתן זו היא תקנתן).
To them in means nothing that this system achieved so much material success, that it provides livelihoods and security and comforts to millions of people. They are totally indifferent to the fact that the majority of the world, including all types of people from all walks of life and all (or most) religions subscribe to this culture.
They are also not impressed by the fact that any sane civilized person would deem their act an atrocity and a crime of the most immense dimensions.
None of this is relevant.
To them America and its economy and society are a threat to the Will of G-d as they perceive it, and need to be eradicated. Even after the deed was done, the horrible suffering, the deaths and destruction and the shattered lives made no impression on these people at all, and they (in their typical perverse way) celebrated, hailing it as a victory over the forces of evil.
Stubbornly, mulishly, pig-headedly, they plod forward, disregarding what anyone thinks or says, until they brought about their intended devastation.
And now, for our lesson: There is an expression in gemoro "ולא תהא תורה שלימה שלנו כשיחה בטילה שלכם" – ‘should not our complete and beautiful Torah carry as much weight as their foolishness?!’
Indeed, although their thinking is horribly warped, and their conclusions are inhuman, they do have some valid points:
We know, too, that the entire existence of the world is in opposition of G-dliness. In fact the root of the very word “olam” – the world – is helem vehester, - concealment. It follows that the more intense the presence of worldliness equals more concealment of G-dliness.
To be sure, the American culture, with its emphasis on increasing physical comforts and extreme pursuit of materialism – keeping up with the Joneses – is unquestionably a culture of G-dlessness. Although it provides us with so many conveniences, and even removes some of the obstacles to studying Torah and fulfilling Mitzvos, we should nonetheless not be fooled for a moment; - This is a lifestyle and culture that threatens all that is holy and precious to us.
As the Baal Shem Tov said: ‘When you pay close attention to Chumriyos, to materialism and physicality (OK, I know, someone give me a better translation), then you will realize that it is your bitter enemy. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, into thinking that they’re our allies, for we are, in fact, at cross-purposes.
The Alter Rebbe did not want Napoleon to be victorious, despite the numerous physical benefits that it would result in for the Jewish people, because it would spell spiritual calamity.
Yet, what do we do about this situation? We combat the darkness with light, and we fight evil with increased goodness. Our recognition and identification of this enemy strengthens our commitment to dedicate ourselves to eradicating it. But our war is not fought with planes or guns, and we surely can’t lessen the evil in the world by perpetrating other evil acts. Rather, we counter it with increased acts of G-dlines, with “mitzvah tanks” and Torah campaigns.
And we arm ourselves with the certainty that even a little bit of light has the power to dispel a lot of darkness. And, how much more-so a lot of light.
But, first, we need to learn the lesson from our enemies (as the Possuk states מאויבי תחכמני): Never mind that everyone around you thinks that money is the greatest thing that was ever created, and they worship it and they idolize it and do anything to get more and more of it.
We need to remain steadfast and unmoved in our belief and our mindset. We know that we have a crucial mission, to remove all of the enemies of G-d from the world, by transforming them into good. And nothing and no one should have the ability to distract us from this goal.
Who cares that all the people in the building think that you’re crazy for going door to door and asking them to put on teffilin? And what difference does it make that most of the world may think that you’re foolish and gullible if you want to spend your life on shlichus instead of trying to land a good job with a fat paycheck?
You know where you’re headed, and what the truth is, and you maintain your stubborn single-mindedness plodding ahead in your path, not allowing anyone or anything to weaken your resolve or stray you from your path.
The evil terrorists used this approach to wreak havoc, death and destruction on the world as we know it. In their misguided ideology they justified the worst atrocities imaginable,
However, we have to use the positive aspects of their approach, channeled in a positive manner. We have to forge forward in our quest to transform the world to a place of goodness and light, paying zero attention to anything or anyone who would try to deter us.
If we do this, we can be assured of success. And we will be the ones to change the world. Forever!
L’chaim! May we counter the terrible acts of evil with even more powerful acts of goodness and kindness, and reveal in the entire world that it is one big Ground Zero, because Kulo Kamei kelo choshiv, and Ein Od milvado, as will be speedily revealed for all to see with the hisgalus of Moshiach Tzidkeinu TUMYM!!!
Rabbi Akiva Wagner
לזכות 'ר שלום מרדכי הלוי בן ,רבקה לגאולה וישועה קרובה ,ושלימה י"תומ ממש ג"בטוהנוהנ !
