Finding Light in the Darkness: A Modern Reflection

A touching post recently published on social media caught our attention and moved us deeply.

"'The Messiah won't come until we despair of redemption' - and yet - 'there is no despair in the world at all' - so how can one not despair?" asks the anonymous writer. "People know how to throw around phrases - be happy, don't despair, and fear nothing. But where am I in all of this? Where is the good life? Where is truth, justice, and integrity? How can one rejoice when the whole world is in sorrow? Everything is upside down - the high are low, the low are high.

"The wicked rejoice and triumph, while the righteous see their homes destroyed, their children growing up alone, suffering poverty and constrained times. Those who fear sin are despised, a daughter rises against her mother, a bride against her mother-in-law, and young people show disrespect to elders.

"'Don't despair,' they tell you. They throw around sayings, wanting to run away to avoid remembering that we are depressed. A nation pursued for thousands of years. A nation accustomed to being pursued and, out of habit, pursuing each other. Protesting against each other, addicted to conflict. Insults are a national diet, anxieties, troubles, exile within exile, concealment within concealment. The waters have reached our souls. A smile on the outside and depression inside. Dressed finely on the outside, playing the life's game - crying in secret, hiding weaknesses. Afraid to show weakness, donning disguises.

"No despair in the world at all? Be happy always? Show me someone like that! Rabbi Nachman of Breslov was like that. And where are we compared to him? We recite his teachings, nothing more. What will be, Father? How long will the wicked rejoice? Your strength in captivity - your glory in the hands of adversity? 'Awake, why do you sleep? Awake, my glory, I'll awake the dawn.

Amongst Us - We are All Despairing - You Search the Heart and Mind

The writer continues to touch the heart: "The greater one is, in these times - the more ruined they are. Abandoned, destroyed, alone outside the camp like a leper. Even the Messiah is poor. What shall the lowly say? How can they not despair? Enemies from within and without. Mixed multitudes rule in Israel, and the more lax one is - the more successful they are. Children of a whole generation are on screens. Dancing on TikTok to demonic dances. Parents are no longer teachers. Education no longer exists. From the darkness, light is revealed - but for now, it's dark.

"It's been thousands of years - so what is light anyway? Who knows it? Even today's light is darkness. The light of drugs, light of movies, shows, and frivolities. And the heart cries. And there is no strength. And yet - with all this - the people of Israel grow stronger, believe, proclaim Your name to the world. Where else is there a nation like this? Blessing Hashem, praising, thanking, praying, keeping mitzvot. It is not natural at all. It is beyond logic. It is a people that is above nature.

"There is no nation like Israel. Not especially in this generation. 'Who is like Your people Israel.' Who, Father? Don’t ignore, don't block your ear. Because within us - we are all despairing - You search the heart and mind, and yet on the outside - we sanctify Your name, and for this appearance, there is much to be proud of Your people. If sages said 'woe to those who will be in that generation,' then indeed we should say about them 'and blessed is he who will be in that generation.' For how can one possibly continue to exist? How can one withstand the tribulations of the Messiah? 'And refine them as silver is refined - and test them as gold is tested.'

"Please, Father of mercy, say enough to our troubles, have pity and compassion on us. Forgive us, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Take us from darkness to light, shine upon us with Your light. Guard our homes and our children, our infants and our women. Let the nations see Your kindness toward us. Blessed is the nation for whom this is true - blessed is the nation whose God is Hashem. 'From the straits I called on Hashem - He answered me with expanses.' 'Arise, Hashem, and let your enemies be scattered before You.' 'Woe to the father who exiled his sons - and woe to the sons exiled from their father's table.' It hurts. It hurts, Father. You are our Father, You are our King, You are our Savior, You are our Redeemer, and how without You is there a savior and protector? Save us, our Father, for it is time to favor her - for the appointed time has come. Return us to You and we shall return - renew our days as of old. Blow the great shofar for our freedom. Do for Your sake if not for ours. He makes peace in His heights, He will make peace for us and for all Israel, Amen," he concludes.