Our Known World Is Collapsing: What Can Be Done? Rabbi Yaakov Hillel's Uplifting Words

Rabbi Yaakov Hillel gave a special talk to 'Yated Neeman,' addressing the points where we need to strengthen ourselves during this time as the coronavirus spreads.

"Many of my friends in Israel and the diaspora sought assistance in understanding the difficult situation we are experiencing now with the coronavirus, which has not yet found a cure and is spreading worldwide, Heaven help us," begins Rabbi Yaakov Hillel.

"Our known world is collapsing. The global economy, stock market, countless businesses, and workers in every sector have been severely impacted. The stability concerning global wealth and the ability to earn a living has become alarmingly uncertain.

"With the spread of the virus, all entertainment and shopping centers that were open day and night for the public are now completely closed. Domestic and overseas flights, which have become so common in our time, are no longer possible.

"We've grown accustomed to trusting in the expertise of doctors and our contemporary medicines, with good reason, as they have managed to extend human life well beyond the average lifespan of previous eras. Medicine today has innovative tests like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds that make the internal workings of the human body an open book.

"But with the arrival of the new 'coronavirus,' Hashem canceled all possibilities of rescue. There aren’t enough hospitals or beds for the new patients. There is no known vaccine or cure for the virus, and tragically, people worldwide are falling ill, many of whom are dying. Even the healthiest individuals are not protected from the virus and stand in great fear of illness or worse. Not even the great leaders of the world, military personnel, nor the wealthy have any refuge from the danger.

"And the prevalent question is," continues Rabbi Hillel, "what is Hashem doing to us? What is required of us in these turbulent times?"

"We are not prophets, nor prophets' sons, and none of us can know and understand the depth of His thoughts in how He governs us in such a tough time. However, we can draw some practical understanding from certain sayings of our sages on how to respond to current circumstances and use these insights as a springboard for spiritual growth.

The World's Greatest Empire Was Severely Struck by Hashem

Rabbi Hillel refers to Egypt, which was the greatest empire in the world – until it was severely struck by Hashem. "Egypt, where the children of Israel were enslaved, was the greatest, richest empire at the time until Hashem overturned it to announce to the world that He alone is the creator, overseer, and ruler of the world.

"Up until then, Egypt had everything necessary to guarantee their peace and security: a strong king, a mighty army, immense wealth, and wise counselors with the most advanced knowledge of the time. Their slavery was unyielding, as explained in the Zohar (Bo, 37), where it says Egyptians bound Israelites in magical chains so, according to natural laws, they wouldn't be able to leave.

"All entrances to Egypt were locked by the power of magic prevailing there, and no slave could escape. The Egyptians believed in the potency of idols, including King Pharaoh and the Nile River – their life source.

"Indeed, Egypt was also the lowest place of impurity in the world, as the Torah testifies, calling it the ‘nakedness of the land.’ Yet, as a nation, it was considered the strongest among all the nations of the world. Everyone believed there would be no way for any power to overcome it.

"But this theory stood until the Creator sent them the ten plagues, and everything collapsed: the king, the army, the idols, and all the immense wealth they had. Even the magicians couldn’t withstand the plagues that ravaged the land completely. They stood by and watched as the forces of nature, which they relied on, went wild, forcing them to conclude, ‘This is the finger of Hashem.’ Pharaoh too trusted in what he saw as his sources of strength: his troops, wealth, the magic prevalent in Egypt, and idols. But the plagues left him destitute.

"Something similar is happening around the world today, as all worldly pleasures that humans enjoy and all the robust institutions people rely on perish one by one," Rabbi Hillel declares, noting that the good deeds desired by Hashem can still be performed in our current situation, even as many of the anchors we relied upon have unravelled before our eyes. Rabbi Hillel focuses on the following points: Torah, commandments, prayer, good character, acts of kindness, family harmony, educating children, charity.

"Torah and commandments, prayer, good character, and acts of kindness. All these matters, whose essence is spiritual life, apply at all times and in all places, even when we must be confined in our homes. After all, 'since the Temple was destroyed, Hashem has only the four cubits of halacha in His world.' And these points are valid even in a world with a great risk of contracting the coronavirus. Nothing today prevents us from praying, studying Torah, observing commandments, and educating our children within the home framework.

Rabbi Hillel addresses the closure of synagogues and the prohibition to pray in a quorum: "Hashem did not take away our spiritual world, Heaven forbid. Rather, in His love for us, He only removed the physical traps," he explains. "And we can take the Gemara, the siddur, the tallit, and the tefillin with us to an isolated place. The divine presence rests not only where the public engages in Torah or prayers, but even where one sits and studies Torah alone, the divine presence is with him, and even an individual’s prayer will be accepted when he is forced not to pray with the congregation."

Interpersonal relations. One of the areas needing strengthening is interpersonal relations. Heartfelt separation, baseless hatred, and lack of unity are very noticeable in our time. There are many who prefer to avoid speaking with certain people for any reason, even though they are part of Hashem’s people. Now Hashem shows us that when we fail in interpersonal relations, measure for measure, He creates a situation where we must be separated from one another unwillingly, yet we are granted the opportunity to increase love, fraternity, peace, and camaraderie with our household members, from which feelings of love and peace will spread to all of Israel.

Family harmony and education. The very necessity of staying home is a wonderful and needed opportunity to work on two lacking areas: genuine family harmony and educating our sons and daughters, including strengthening the connection with children through conversation and encouragement.

Charity and kindness. An important matter is correcting the attitude towards monetary matters. The economy has suffered greatly worldwide. I have received many calls from people who see their wealth and assets diminishing in value and feel lost. Many people see their money as a lifeline, and they would never dream of freeing up their money to give to others. They devoted all their time and energy to amassing millions, only to suddenly find that their money is not secure and doesn't benefit them at all, becoming like a neglected stone, as ‘He who increases assets increases anxiety.’ It's time to recognize that the only things worth investing money in which can be relied upon eternally are acts of charity and kindness, supporting Torah scholars. These investments will never lose their value and guarantee us in times of trouble," Rabbi Hillel concludes his words.