By Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson
Avremi Fizm is eight and a half years old. He lives in Sderot, southern Israel, at the border of Gaza. His parents and grandparents are the Chabad Shluchim in Sderot.
Some weeks ago, he came to the United States to explain to thousands of people at a special Chabad audience what it's like to grow up in Sderot when thousands of rockets are launched incessantly at your homes and schools, gardens and backyards and streets, and you have 12 seconds to run and find cover. 12 seconds that can distinguish between life and death.
The Other Times When He Didn’t
Not Always Getting to the Bomb Shelter in Time
He spoke of the thousands of times in his eight short years when he made it to the bomb shelter after hearing the sirens, and many other times when he could not find cover and had to fall to the ground and protect his head with his hands. Avremi addressed the thousands of guests at the international banquet of Chabad Shluchim.
“I want to ask you for a small favor,” he said. “Close your eyes for twelve seconds. I’ll ask to turn off the lights and... let’s begin.”
...11... 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
But then he shocked his audience. Instead of sharing the depth of the fear and anxiety during those 12 seconds, he told the audience how over these years of experiencing these 12 seconds thousands of times, he discovered the power and potential contained in 12 seconds. What can be achieved in 12 seconds?
“I’m sharing this with you,” Avremi said, “to inspire growth and for the sake of learning—cherish these 12 seconds!”
In 12 seconds, Avremi said, you can smile from ear to ear toward a fellow human being. In 12 seconds, you can uplift another soul with a loving word or gesture. In 12 seconds, you can recite a blessing with another Jew. In 12 seconds, you can embrace your fellow Jew, bring them joy and offer support and love. In 12 seconds, you can give him or her back their soul and breathe new life into them. And in 12 seconds, as you lay on the ground and protect your head, you can pray that the rocket does not fall on an innocent human being.
The First Thing that Traditional Jews Say Every Morning
In the Jewish tradition, the first thing we say when we wake up every morning takes 12 seconds, and consists of 12 words. The first thing we upon opening our eyes is, “Modeh ani Lefanecha Melech Chai V’Kayam she’hechezarta bi nishmasi b’chemla raba emunasecha—I thank you, living and eternal King, for You have graciously returned my soul to me, abundant is Your faith in me.” You have given me another day. Thank you.
In our personal lives, the enemy within often sends rockets of destructive thoughts and feelings into our hearts. Self-loathing, anger, fear, shame, insecurity, guilt, negativity, toxicity. We have less than 12 seconds to decide if these thoughts will take us over and wreak havoc in our mind and relationships, or our life is too dignified and precious for us to allow ourselves to be derailed from love and light.
“Be strong, be strong and let us be strengthened.” Thank you, Avremi, for this priceless and life-changing lesson. We love you.
Reprinted from the Parshat Vayechi 5784 email of The Torahanytimes.com Newsletter as compiled and edited by Elan Perchik.
