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As Jews, as educators, it behooves us to pause for a moment's reflection
on the enormity of the tragedy befalling Turkey in the wake of the
disastrous earthquake.
Our attention, currently focused on the shootings in Los Angeles and the
bombings in Lebanon, tends to become preoccupied with tragedies that
result in specifically Jewish victims. This is right; we stand "surety"
for one another and are correctly solicitous of the well being of our
fellows. Another part of us, however, ought to be equally vigilant for
human tragedies that occur outside the Jewish fraternity.
Rav Kook wrote (Arpelei Tohar, 31):
I love everything.
I cannot keep from loving all beings, al peoples.
In the depths of my heart, I wish for the splendor of all, the mending of
all.
My love for Israel is more fervent, more profound;
But the inner longing expands in its power of love over all, literally
all.
When we recite Netaneh Tokef in but a few weeks' time, let us ponder the
awesome significance of MI BA-RA`ASH.
Dr. Moshe Sokolow
Association of Day Schools and Yeshiva High Schools
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