How to Strengthen in the Wake of Terrible Disaster? Rabbi Tuvia Pollak's 5 Important Points

In a special conversation given to "Kol Mibi Midrash", the sagely supervisor Rabbi Tuvia Pollak spoke on the obligation of faith, especially at this time. Rabbi Pollak, who lost his wife and the mother of his children last year, and later his eldest daughter suddenly, calls on the people of Israel to stand the trial, and to accept with love and without questions the will of Hashem.

"People of Israel, precious people. All of Israel now faces a very great trial from the most painful stories, with all the timing around. On a joyous day, Lag B'Omer, at Meron, the burial place of Rabbi Shimon. With all the troubles – they arrive there. Rabbi Shimon is worthy to rely on. And what an unusual form, people falling on top of each other. Massive numbers of dead, injured. Truly terrible," Rabbi Tuvia Pollak begins his words.

"What should we think? What should we do? I speak to myself. Whoever wants to listen, but listen to this strongly with all the power. There is no other side. Five things to instill in the heart, to stand the test at such a difficult hour."

1. We Do Not Understand Divine Accounts

"We do not understand. Certainly, we do not understand. We do not understand divine accounts. It's not a matter of "in hindsight" that we don't understand. This is from the outset. This is the people of Israel. We do not understand," Rabbi Pollak passionately expresses. "Your judgments are a great abyss. We do not approach the abyss. This is an abyss where one can fall. We do not approach the abyss, especially things that concern the whole of Israel. Meron on Lag B'Omer is shared by all Jews in the world. Who understands at all? We are not supposed to understand. Without apology. This is the pinnacle of the Jewish perspective that we do not understand. This is the heroism of "And Aaron was silent". Also in the case of Aaron the priest, this was on the day of the dedication of the altar, and two great leaders of the generation died in the middle of the celebration that was there. "And Aaron was silent". This is the aspiration of the Jew.

"We have a great, wise Creator. Knows what He is doing. There are no answers because there are no questions at all. The more terrible, strange, frightening, rare the story – the less we question. Who can understand? Us? Small people, one-time people who barely understand a thing in Torah can understand? Can we understand such a heavenly plan? Who knows how much redemption will come because of this incident? We do not try to understand.

"Say 'Shema Yisrael', close the eyes and cover the eyes with the right hand, the strong hand – this is our strength. We do not understand. Certainly, we do not understand. We are proud we do not understand. We know we have a Creator who manages the world. Certainly, there are no mistakes. Especially things concerning the entire Israel. Such a story, such a disaster. This is the "being silent" of every individual. On this, we pride ourselves. What to answer people who ask how can such a thing be? What is the question at all? Do you know what heaven is? What is the King of Kings? What is the Creator of the world? Above all our concepts. Understand??? Understand??? It's very serious to try to understand. What do we explain? Explain there is a Creator of the world. Explain who this great and giant king is. Especially such a shocking thing. He knows it's Lag B'Omer. He knows it's Meron. He knows every detail of what happened to everyone. And all Israel is shaken. We do not try to understand. Blindly rely on Him. This is the first thing. Be strong. The Creator of the world puts a rope around the world and shakes it back and forth, and you have to hold the rope very tight.

"How to hold? Simple faith that Hashem does everything and we do not understand. Nullified and nullified. I was as a beast with Thee. O Lord, Thou preserveth man and beast. This is the whole endeavor of the Jew. It is a very great sorrow, terrible and dreadful, but to understand??? We must tremble at the thought that we even try to understand. People of Israel, hold strong to the rope. We do not understand. We know Hashem exists and He does everything. He knows very well what He is doing, down to the smallest details. The first foundation – do not try to understand. Believe in our giant king that nothing moves aside from Him," notes Rabbi Pollak on the first point.

2. Do Not Attribute to Chance. Everything is from Him

Rabbi Pollak continues with the next point of strength: "Do not attribute to chance. There is no other besides Him. Hashem shakes us. Be careful not to fall into the way of chance. Do not try to find the guilty – the fence, the police, the railing. Heaven forbid. Do not flee to the way of chance. Do not blame. Be very careful. Hashem is shaking us so vigorously. Therefore, it is advisable to see as few pictures as possible and avoid dealing with the details. 'If it had been' and 'if there were', words that must not be spoken. There is no other besides Him. Be wary of interpretations. This is not accidental. The terrible story here – do not let men of chance take over. Be very careful. This is the second foundation: do not attribute to chance. Everything is decreed from heaven.

3. Hashem is Present and Loves. Believe with All Strength

"The third foundation – let us elevate a step", Rabbi Pollak says. "Do not forget for a second, especially at such a difficult time, do not forget, this is a Jew. We have gone through many exiles, many destructions, the Holocaust, entire families were killed before the eyes. The people of Israel are accustomed to blows. Save me now, plucked beard. The people of Israel knew how to accept. This faith that Hashem is with us and loves us very very much. Is present in troubles, very. This is the whole Jew. This is the whole Jew. In the blows. In the hardships. Believe that Hashem is with us and loves us with a love of the soul. The famous Zohar, if people knew how much Hashem loves the people of Israel, they would run after Him in the streets roaring like cubs. In the blows, in exile, in darkness, here is another story of hidden face. Such a disaster, on such a day, at such a time. The celebration with all the difficulties. Seems very bad. Hashem loves us so much. If we went up to heaven we would see how Hashem is preparing salvation here, and Hashem cries with us for all the agony. Especially now to remember. Especially in troubles. Especially in Meron. Especially in the celebration. Hashem only thinks of how to do us good.

"A very delicate subject, to know that there is no doubt in the world that all the Jews who were killed there in such a terrible way – all those who came to pray were killed out of a deed of mitzvah. Each of the deceased fulfilled his mission. This is what was decreed upon him from the heavens with all the considerations. We believe there is the mover of all causes. That there is 'a G-d who is the Master over all acts', that 'Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One'.

"The Rambam writes that a person killed through suffering – you have no greater atonement than this. Who knows the accounts of heaven. This faith that Hashem is with us and never leaves us. The day will still come when the people of Israel will understand what happened here. Then, when the light ignites – we will understand there was never darkness.

"We are in this world, still on the way, but this faith that Hashem loves us very very much – this is a Jew. Moses came to Egypt and said: "Know, Hashem is with you with all the measure of mercy". This faith that Hashem is present and loves us especially in the darkness, especially in these days – this is how Hashem's love is expressed more and more.

"This is our work at such hours. To see everything with a true eye. An eye of faith. And furthermore, to strengthen in work", Rabbi Pollak details the third point.

4. Strengthen in Prayer

"The fourth point, to pray", Rabbi Pollak says, and explains what true prayer is. "To pray more and more to internalize. When such a thing happens – only to strengthen faith. To pray is a declaration that everything is from Him, that everything is for the best. Every Jew should strengthen in prayer – come to prayer earlier, come more relaxed, pray more aloud. It is written in books that the main prayer is Shacharit (morning prayer). Come on time, say the whole prayer, ask, connect, plead, cling to Him – this is prayer. When I speak of Him, I remember him. Strengthen the prayer, pray strong, mainly Shacharit. In Shacharit, there is a peak of the Psalms – calmly – because this is the construction of all faith. Especially now, in the darkness, in the agony, in exile. All awe of heaven comes from prayer. Pray stronger. Fully concentrate with all dignity. With all the respect of prayer and respect of the synagogue. Faith of iron, of concrete, of steel. Faith especially in such hours. With all power. Especially now – declare faith. And how much reward will Israel receive for accepting the judgment from heaven with love. What abundance will Israel receive from such faith. Raise your eyes above. Pray, trust Him, and be connected to Him."

5. Increase Peace in the World, Love Everyone

Rabbi Pollak addresses the fifth point in which strength is required: "The Holy Ari says to accept upon oneself before prayer the positive commandment of 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. When seeing such a judgment in the world, let us strengthen in 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. A huge strengthening between a person and his fellow. Love everyone. At home, outside, all factions, all communities. Only peace. There is no vessel that holds a blessing like peace. The end of the Eighteen blessings – peace. The end of the Kaddish – peace. The end of the Priestly Blessing – peace. More peace in the world, more unity. Less division. More unity. Love everyone, pray for the friend, love him. This is the great power of the people of Israel. When living in peace – this is the condition for receiving the Torah, for the presence of the Divine Presence and for all good things. Love everyone without any considerations, without any calculations. Only think about how to amplify it more and more. Especially in such an hour, build a huge building of faith. Be wary of the media. Pure faith. Build pure faith especially at this time," concludes Rabbi Pollak with words of strength.