English Blog

Which Word Best Defines 2020?

Thursday, December 31, 2020 - 11:36 AM

Unsurprisingly, Merriam-Webster has chosen “pandemic” as their word of the year. It has been the most researched, analyzed and studied word in all of 2020—a year that has certainly left its mark on the world.

But may I humbly suggest that perhaps the word “humility” better represents the year we’ve just endured?

If there’s one thing 2020 has hammered into our consciousness, it’s humility.

This time last year, we had grand plans for 2020. Certainly none of us could have predicted what happened next! In fact, as we ushered in the New Year, the pandemic had already begun in China.

As it spread, the world was shaken to its core. We were entirely unprepared; we had no tools to handle the situation foisted upon us. Without doubt, the events of 2020 will feature heavily in history books.

We thought we had the mightiest weapons in our arsenal, including F16s and hydrogen bombs, and then we discovered just how powerless we are against a tiny, invisible virus. Humbling.

Even as it spread, we thought by summer life would be back to normal. We could send our children to camp and go on our planned vacations. But we discovered that we are not in control. Humbling.

We thought our jobs and income were secure and that we could easily afford our mortgages and rent, only to be shown that our income comes directly from G-d. Humbling.

We put so much thought and planning into choosing the best schools for our children, only to have them home for months on end. Humbling.

This was the year we realized we don’t need theaters, Broadway shows, bars or clubs to entertain ourselves. We can be happy at home with our families.

This was the year we realized that as much as we value our savings and our stocks, at the end of the day health is paramount.

This was the year we realized we don’t have the answers to life, and that’s ok. G-d does and we surrender ourselves to Him. And, more than ever, we turned to G-d, to prayer, and to Torah study.

So which word best defines 2020? Humility.

G-d, we are in Your hands. Please be gentle with us as we enter 2021.

Best wishes for an incredible, prosperous & happy new year!

Rabbi Uriel Vigler

Yankel’s Tesla!

Friday, December 18, 2020 - 1:03 PM

I woke up at 4am last week to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s ohel with my dear friend Yankel to pray for abundant blessings. I was outside my house on 92^nd street at exactly 4.30am, when he pulled up in a fancy-looking car.

As I got in, I took stock of the many gadgets—far more buttons than I’m used to, and a massive screen almost as if I were in an airplane, not a car!

Yankel noticed my curiosity and said, “Watch this!” I nearly fainted as he let go of the steering wheel with cars whizzing by on either side smack in the middle of the FDR. At the best of times I am a terrible backseat driver; I need to be the one in control. And here I was in full panic mode, clinging to my seat for dear life! Yes it was 4.30am, but this is NYC and there are always other cars on the road. I was screaming and this Yankel guy was as calm as they get. “Are you crazy?!” I exclaimed. “Hold the steering wheel!”

“Rabbi, this is the latest Tesla,” he calmly explained. “Elon Musk has created the dream car.” He showed me the cameras and explained that its reaction time is actually faster than a human’s and then I saw it with my own eyes: someone cut us off and our Tesla reacted immediately! The car slowed down for traffic lights, recognized construction zones, adjusted for speed limits, and even parked itself. I was astounded. Oh, and the best part is that the car won’t let you sleep. If it senses you’re sleeping, it will wake you up. It also doesn’t allow you to watch its built-in Netflix while in motion. Incredible!

I was sure there must be a spiritual lesson somewhere in this experience, and I realized that in life we all have to work extremely hard. We toil to make a living, to provide for our families. We wish we could sit back and relax - like in that Tesla - and let our problems leave us and dollar bills miraculously enter our lives. But that’s not how it works. Success only comes with hard work. Nothing is automatic.

The truth, however, is that G-d is in the driving seat of life, and actually, we can sit back and relax, assured that He is in full control. No panic. No need for nerves. G-d is the boss and fully in control. So when you think life is throwing you a curveball, when things seem totally unfair, remember that you trust the Driver.

As we sit and watch those beautiful burning Chanukah lights, let’s focus on that long-ago but still relevant miracle, where despite all the odds a handful of Jews managed to defeat the mightiest army of their day. How? Because G-d was driving that Tesla!

Happy Chanukah!