Our community is reeling from the terror attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day. You may be aware that there are several Jews among the wounded, including some from Israel. From the moment we were made aware of this, representatives of Chabad have been actively involved in caring and advocating for them, and now in assisting the families who have since arrived to be with their wounded loved ones. We have been coordinating with the Jewish Federation to optimize the help that is being given to our brothers and sisters in their time of need. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).
Many of us have seen the profile of the perpetrator. He seems like a guy you would pass in the street and think that he was a “regular dude.” You would have even used him as a realtor or consultant. He was a military veteran. How does one transition from being a regular everyday kind of guy to an enraged maniac who sought to wreak carnage upon our city and society in the name of his convoluted ideology?
I am sure that psychologists and social scientists will have plenty of opportunities to analyze this question and suggest explanations. However, I would like to take this in another direction. If one can go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of evil, it is certainly possible to go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of goodness.
We have all met people that would otherwise be regarded as ordinary, who have accomplished extraordinary things. With the proper intentionality and effort, we can make a major difference in the world that we inhabit. It begins with becoming filled with love (instead of rage) and then orienting ourselves in the direction of making a difference. Then we identify the area in which we can begin implementing. Then comes meticulous planning, hard work, and relentless pursuit of your goal. Before you know it, you have become a powerful force for goodness and G-dliness.
It matters little whether the world recognizes your achievements, or if it gets widespread media coverage or thousands of likes on social media. Hashem knows what you have done and those whose lives you have impacted, feel the difference as well.
Let’s get out there and start accomplishing extraordinary things. We will fill this world with the light of goodness and kindness, the light of Hashem. You can make a difference!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin