Just when we thought spring was here, and we were enjoying temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s, the forecast turned south. A “Nor’easter” was predicted and our snow gear was taken out once again. Despite these predictions most areas saw little to no snow at all. However, to their credit, the temperatures sure did drop. What is the meaning of this?
We just celebrated Purim and now we are heading toward Chodesh Nissan, the month that is destined for geulah. The Si’ach Yitzchak, a talmid of the Vilna Gaon whose commentary is found in the siddur HaGra, expounds on the second Halleluka which we say every morning in Shachris. This Halleluka discusses, among other things, snow. The Si’ach Yitzchak explains that there is a message buried in snow. Snow is Hashem’s way of demonstrating to us that our situation can change in a snap of a finger. We can wake up in the morning and the entire city can look different, covered in snow. And the very next day it could be back to normal. Snow is a tool Hashem uses to demonstrate that situations can change drastically immediately.
Our human nature has us believe that our current situation will perpetually continue. This is especially true regarding Mashiach’s arrival, for we have been waiting for nearly two thousand years and he has yet to come. It is difficult to begin to do teshuvah as if the geula is imminent when we do not really think that it will happen. To counter this conventional way of thinking, Hashem creates real life situations, which help us break these tendencies. We must be conscious of this reality, and understand that our situation in galus can change overnight as well. This understanding will help us prepare ourselves for this change.
With this snowstorm we were also taught another truth. The forecast of this storm was completely inaccurate. For example, it was predicted that the Jersey Shore would receive 10-14 inches of snow, but only actually endured a light coating to an inch. The fact that we cannot accurately predict a snowstorm the day before it arrives should demonstrate to us that as sophisticated our scientific developments are it is not always precise. Thus, when faced with an apparent contradiction between what science believes to be true today and something the Torah teaches as an absolute truth, we should not be swayed by science’s declarations.
In a whimsical manner the prediction of this storm could be classified as “Fake News.” Fake news is a term that President Trump has coined referring to the left-wing biased news media as they slant or in certain instances completely fabricate “news” stories. It is indeed an appropriate term for many of these outlets, as some have openly stated that they have put journalism aside in an effort to destroy Mr. Trump’s candidacy and presidency.
But Fake News carries a duplicitous message for us. Much of how we perceive our circumstances and facts is from the news. Time and again this trusted gospel has been proven wrong, and occasionally intentionally so. This again establishes the principle that the way we perceive our situation in the world may be inaccurate and can certainly change. Mashiach can be at our doorstep, with one foot in the door, and we would not even know it. The one “True News” is the Torah, and the Torah has put forth for us several signs that our geula is rapidly approaching. We should listen to those predictions and prepare for that reality. When we are mentally prepared for the geula we will be zoche to see its arrival, may it come speedily, amen.