I'm not helpless

Chilul Hashem. The Desecration of G-d's name. I see it everywhere. It's all over the news, both National and International. The small sect of Sikrikim who call themselves Haredim (G-d fearing Jews)are walking the streets of Bet Shemesh(very close to where I live), terrorizing young girls and women. Subhuman animals are molesting innocent children in Nachlaot, Jerusalem and not getting caught. Young hooligans are actively involved in Tag Mechir (vandalizing Arab property)...How can it be that people who claim to love G-d, His Torah and His Mitzvot(commandments) can commit the gravest of crimes by desecrating His Holy Name??

My heart aches. I stay up at night wondering why this is happening within my people and what I can do to stop it. The Torah states very clearly "Lo Ta'amod Al Dam Re'echa"....Literally, this means do not stand idly by and watch your brother bleed....In other words, do not let your brother/sister suffer without trying to help him/her.

Every minute of every day, we all have opportunities to do a Kiddush Hashem...To sanctify His Holy Name, rather than ,heaven forbid, desecrate it. A heartfelt compliment and expression of gratitude to our spouse. Fun and quality time spent with the kids. A visit to an elderly and lonely person. A smile and a "Good Morning" to the street cleaner. An "I'm sorry" to someone we've wronged. I truly believe that Hakadosh Baruch Hu smiles at us when He sees us treating our loved ones and even perfect strangers with love and respect. On the flipside, I think that He cries bitter tears when He sees His children behaving in ways that hurt their fellow brothers and sisters.

I wish I could single handedly make the Sikrikim stop terrorizing my holy sisters. I wish I could catch all the evil molesters and throw them in jail for life. I wish I could put an end to Tag Mechir. I can't. But that doesn't mean that I can't do anything. I'm not helpless.

I can look for my own meaningful opportunities to do a Kiddush Hashem( a sanctification of G-d's name). I can give up my seat on the bus for the older gentleman without a kippa (skullcap). I can express my love and appreciation to my husband and my kids on a daily basis. I can buy a warm drink and a sandwich for a person begging for money on the street. I can connect with people who are very different than I am. I can cook meals for new moms. I can invite random new people I meet in the supermarket to my home for Shabbat.

We can all do these things. Every small act of chessed (kindness) counts.

With Love,

Cigal