Look around! Your friends are all either in quarantine, just exiting quarantine, or afraid of being exposed and having to quarantine. This new variant is spreading so quickly, there aren’t even enough tests! Got a cold? Feeling under the weather? Assume its Omicron.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidus, taught that we should look for meaning in everything we observe. Here are a few lessons I’m taking from Omicron.
1. You can change the world
Omicron’s growth has been explosive! It spreads 70 times faster than the original strain, and has rapidly infected more people than at any time previously in the pandemic. The US is currently recording a million new cases per day!
But if Omicron can spread so quickly, just imagine how quickly our good deeds can spread. When you do a mitzvah, it literally reverberates across the entire world and has a ripple effect, spreading goodness and kindness, inspiring others to do good deeds as well.
2. You don’t need to do BIG mitzvot to have a ripple effect
Omicron, thank G-d, is quite mild. Most people who have it describe it as a minor inconvenience, much like a cold. But it's still wreaking havoc on our travel plans, our children’s schools, our vacations and our lives.
Likewise, even a small mitzvah can have a massive impact. You don’t need to do big things to change the world.
3. Love all Jews equally
Omicron does not differentiate. Religious, secular, orthodox, conservative, reform, unaffiliated … it doesn’t matter. We’re all in it together and we all have the same chance of catching it. Likewise, all Jews are equally Jewish. Let’s reach out with love to every Jew, regardless of how different our lifestyles and viewpoints may be.
4. Humility
We’re two years into the pandemic, and as much as we think we know about Omicron, we actually know very little. We don’t know when it will end, when we can start planning life again. In the meantime, we just have to take a deep breath and realize there is nothing we can do—humility!
5. Hashem is everywhere
A popular Jewish children’s song declares, “Hashem is here, Hashem is there, Hashem is truly everywhere … right, left, and all around … here, there, and everywhere … ” What greater parallel than Omicron! It’s literally there, wherever you turn: school, work, shul, friends, vacation—there’s no avoiding it.
6. G-d is in control!
We’ve tried lockdowns, we tried closing our borders and airports, we tried everything in our power to control this thing, but still it rages. Ultimately, we are powerless; He is in control.
7. Our greatest weapon is prayer
Even if you are vaccinated, have had the booster shot, wear masks, social distance, and stay at home a lot, you are not immune to Omicron. Everyone can get it at any time and in any place.
Our greatest weapon is still prayer and good deeds. Wake up every morning and pray to G-d from the depths of your heart – this is still your best chance of warding it off.
8. G-d loves us
Nothing bad comes from G-d. He loves each and every one of us more than anything in the entire world. We have no idea why He brought us covid, but maybe, just maybe, by bringing us Omicron He has done us the greatest favor. Since so many are getting it, it may actually be the best chance we have at natural herd immunity that will finally end all this madness.