Our generation fails to realize that the farther we go from Hashem, the more hazardous our plight will be. I can only try to correct myself and reach out to our brethren to the best of my ability, but what else can we do to change the global anti-Semitism? What would you advise? How can I evoke Hashem’s mercy?
It occurred to me that we should focus on eliminating sinas chinam (baseless hatred between Jew and Jew) a plague which prevails among all segments of our people, religious and secular alike. My son went to a chassidic Talmud Torah where my husband learned as a child and I went to the girl’s school. Since those days, however, a younger generation has taken over and changed their policies. They say they no longer have room and can not longer afford to support children from other chassidic groups.
My son was not accepted in the yeshiva ketana and we had no other choice of schools in this city. I had to send my son away at an early age where every Shabbos he had to go to strangers. Additionally, he has some major food allergies and between the poor food in his yeshiva and the moldy dorm, he became bitter. Baruch Hashem, this year he is going to a different yeshiva, but still has to seek Shabbos hospitality from strangers.
As for the yeshiva in my city, all children who are not members of that chassidic group are being kicked out. If our leaders truly believed in Hashem, they could have worked together in unity. My son was the first korban, the first casualty. Hashem probably knew we would pass this nisayon more easily than others.
Achdus – unity – evokes mercy for our people, but unity is missing today. The young ones feel everything belongs to them. They do what they want and then wonder why anti-Semitism exists. Please guide me on how to approach the subject of achdus and how to live a proper Jewish life in today’s turbulent times.
