Mina's Musings: Ki Tetzei 2017 - Hurricane Harvey, Our Humanity, and Being Humane

Shabbat Shalom.  As we watched the images coming out of Texas our hearts were simultaneously filled with heartbreak at the devastation and uplifted by the heroic actions of people working to not only save total strangers, human beings they had never met before, but going even further out of the way to save the family pets that were also in harm’s way.  It was enough to restore one’s faith in the goodness of humanity, the ability of people from disparate backgrounds to work together to ease the suffering of others.  Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been raised by various organizations and individuals to aid with the recovery, truckloads of items such as water, blankets, donated blood, pet food, clothes, medicine, and more have been donated and are  making their way to victims, and we’ve all seen and read stories of families reunited with each and their pets all due to the efforts of strangers.

It was an example of tragedy turning into triumph.  As I saw the videos and read the stories my heart was uplifted.  Here was true Torah, God’s teachings of love being put into action.  Our Torah portion says not to ignore an animal that is fallen, but to raise it up.  I’ve seen the pictures of truckloads of dogs being rescued.  The same verse is understood by the rabbis to mean that if we someone distraught with their burdens we must help them.  That is what so many are doing in Texas.  The portion tells us to return a lost object, and the stories of animals returned to their owners are uplifting.  The Torah tells us to help those in need by offering food when necessary. 

We’ve seen that all over the news.  It was truly amazing.  Right up until I read that 40 people had been arrested for looting.  OK, a few were found to have literally been stealing food, and I have to say I find it difficult to judge them harshly in such trying circumstances.  They were cold and hungry, the stores were closed, and they needed to eat.  I get it.  On the other hand those who were caught stealing cash from registers, bottles of liquor, cell-phones, have little excuse.  It is always upsetting to see people turn an already difficult situation into a moment of selfish opportunism.

But I have to say that isn’t even the worst of it.  The worst is what I saw on the Facebook page of someone I know.  The first time I ever REALLY fought with myself whether or not to “un-friend” someone took place.  You see, someone with the alias Charitable Human posted on some social media:  “I just can’t bring myself to even consider providing aid to any red state, let them clean up their own mess.”  It is a mind boggling statement from someone who obviously sees themselves as the arbiter of what is good and right. 

Unfortunately that person sees no irony in the fact that while they deem themselves kind and decent and on the “right” side of things, they also apparently believe that anyone just THINKING differently from themselves is an affront, a sin so large that they DESERVE to be punished and left to fend for themselves.  Never mind that even if this person can’t stand “red states” everyone knows that in red states there are plenty of Democrats, Independents, and non-voters just as in blue states there are Republicans, Independents, etc.  Doesn’t matter.  Apparently just LIVING among people who are different than this person means you are unworthy of her assistance, compassion, simple human decency, etc.  

Fine.  The person going by the name Charitable Human is NOT someone I know.  I should have NEVER seen this vile statement. EXCEPT that someone who IS a Facebook friend of mine shared the post – I think it was a screenshot of a tweet, and put not just a thumbs up, but a HEART underneath it, and then wrote:  “I couldn’t agree more.”  This was of course after sharing a different article only a few minutes before asking for people to donate pet supplies to help the needy ANIMALS in Texas.  Apparently animals are worthy of saving but not people. 

My friends, when I saw that heart symbol I nearly broke down in tears.  I sat and stared at the screen for at least fifteen minutes debating whether to not just stop following this person but to completely unfriend them.  In the end I couldn’t do it because I believe that this single hate filled statement isn’t the totality of the person I know.  She was a volunteer at a previous shul of mine and I know she is a person who truly tries to do tikkun olam.  Thus I am choosing to believe she just is a little lost right now and has somehow forgotten the teachings about not standing idly by the blood your neighbor, loving your neighbor as yourself, etc.  And so rather than unfriend her I am going to pray that her heart is opened to love, that WHEN her heart is opened up the hatred, the contempt for the very LIVES of those who vote, live, or think differently than her simply falls out of her heart, that the same compassion she has for animals is translated into compassion for her fellow Americans, regardless of where they live or vote.  I am a believer in the power of prayer.  And so it is that I end this morning with a modified version of the prayer I sent to congregation earlier this week, adapted from two separate prayers written by Rabbi Fred Gutman and Rabbi Samuel Barth:

Avinu Shebashamayim, God of the heavens: nature and all that You have created are truly awesome. Often, we take these wonders for granted. Teach us to cherish all of your gifts.   

Try as we might, we know that we cannot control the oceans, the mountains, the weather. We also firmly believe that ever since the time of Noah, You do not send floods, make the earth shake, or dispatch weather formations, such as hurricanes, as warnings or punishments.

So we ask, as the effects and aftermath of Hurricane Harvey are felt, that You shelter all who have been left in its path. Watch over everyone, their loved ones, friends, fellow human beings, and pets, including the many who have been forced to evacuate. Guard them as they leave their homes and guard those who are sheltering in place. Grant them strength, courage, and resolve. Answer their prayers and ours that they be blessed with goodness and be spared from harm.  Grant comfort and solace to those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.  Embrace in your presence those whose lives were lost. 

We ask too that You grant wisdom and strength to those responsible for rescue, for administration and coordination-the first and last responders. May they find the strength and courage, the insight and judgment, the love of humanity to do their best to bring wisdom and technology to alleviate suffering, heal injury, and restore the services and infrastructure to the people of the devastated communities.

May you open the hearts and minds of those who see themselves as separate from their fellow Americans.  Teach them to see and value the humanity of EVERYONE they encounter and to wish for them the same compassion they would want for themselves.  Help us ALL to open our hearts and to give support, encouragement, love, and gifts to the best of our abilities.  Barukh Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh Ha'Olam sh' kocho u-gevurato mah-leh olam. Blessed are You, Source of Life and Nature, whose awesome power and strength fill our world and inspire us to be strong in the face of all of life's difficulties.  Amen.