"Bittersweet" Galus

There once lived a king in an extraordinary palace with his twelve sons whom he adored. As they grew it became apparent each son possessed unique qualities making them special in the king's eyes. But the sons viewed their brothers' qualities as less respectable than their own and began to fight with one another. With a heavy heart, the king banished them from his palace, sending them away each in their own direction, while he went into hiding until he saw there was peace among them and they could get along. The years passed and although tragedy after tragedy befell the brothers briefly uniting them, they still fought bitterly. Painfully the king watched, as many of his sons were lost and killed. He longed to welcome them back under his wings and protect his sweet sons from the horrors they experienced but knew he must stay true to his word. The king watched sadly from afar waiting for the day when he could once again welcome the children he loved so dearly into his palace to live together. Till this day the king still waits for his children to get along with each other so they can enjoy all he has to offer them.

It is quite obvious who the characters in this mashal are; we are the sons and the king is Hashem. This erev shabbos I watched as a cluster of jewish children played together on my block. The scene was quite bittersweet. On the one hand, jewish children playing together is always a heart warming scene. But when you listen closely and hear them speaking in perfect english, or any other language besides lashon hakodesh to some extent it should break your heart. This is by no means mussar to say that we should not learn English or anything secular or mussar to make aliyah but simply an attempt to recognize that as wonderful as we may have it wherever we live Baruch Hashem bli ayen harah, if it's not in Eretz Yisrael, it's not home. Because in many places we are able to live freely and practice as we please Baruch Hashem (!!) it is very easy to forget THIS IS STILL GALUS! Even in Israel, we have no Beis Hamikdash and Hashem still remains hidden from view. Do not get me wrong, it is incredible we have so many opportunities at our feet and even have the ability to walk about freely in the land Hashem gave to us! Those who live in New York or other large jewish communities know how it is not very challenging to be a frum yid- kosher food, hundreds of shuls, schools... It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking- forget all the opportunities we have and all the material things we have- it is so easy to be a good Jew, what more do we need?! I say this because I myself find I sometimes slip into the habit of getting too comfortable where I am. This is the challenge of our galus- no matter how amazing it may seem to be and we must never get too cozy here and forget what it really is.

We should focus our efforts on the geulah and how only we have the ability to bring it closer. Our familial battles are plastered over all the headlines even though we need to present a united front now more than ever. Instead of adding to the fire by choosing a side and speaking lashon hara about the other, have extra kavannah during Sim Shalom. On a much more minor scale we are each faced with daily opportunities to create shalom or continue the fight whether it be with parents, friends, or any other person you find yourself arguing with. Instead of yelling back, or throwing back a quick insult focus your efforts on creating shalom and have in mind that this should be in zchus of our redemption. Let's show Hashem we're ready for the geulah!