Finding Faith Amidst the California Fires
Left: Joshua Kotler holding the Menorah | Right: Ron Rivlin praying with Tefillin
In the face of life's adversities, moments of profound clarity can emerge, reminding us of the deeper purpose of our existence. For Joshua Kotler and his wife, Emily, such a moment arose amidst the devastation of the California wildfires that destroyed their Altadena home.
As the fire consumed their house perched atop a mountain, the Kotlers escaped with their two young daughters, taking only the bare essentials. When they returned to the charred remains, they discovered a single item untouched by the flames: a menorah passed down from Joshua's grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.
The menorah's survival seemed miraculous. For Joshua, it wasn't merely a family heirloom; it was a symbol of resilience, survival, and the enduring strength of faith. “Finding that menorah was a sign that, no matter what, we're still here,” Joshua reflected. Though their material possessions were lost, the Kotlers found hope and meaning in this small but deeply significant artifact, a connection between their past and their future.
Another story of faith amidst destruction comes from Ron Rivlin, a prominent art collector in Pacific Palisades. As he watched the wildfire approach his home, a text from his daughter—simply “Daddy!”—brought his priorities into focus. Abandoning his art collection, he fled to safety, prioritizing his role as a father over material possessions.
After losing his home to the fire, Rivlin donned Tefillin amidst the ashes, reaffirming his faith and inspiring others. “From the rubble, we rebuild—not just our homes, but our spirits,” he said. Rivlin's act of faith echoed the idea that our connection to something higher transcends material loss.
These stories of survival and faith serve as powerful reminders to reevaluate what truly matters. In a world often dominated by materialism, it is all too easy to become enslaved to our possessions, careers, and the relentless pursuit of wealth. But such pursuits can leave us disconnected from our true purpose.
This week's Torah portion, Shemot, recounts the beginning of Jewish slavery in Egypt. The verse states:
"So the Egyptians enslaved the children of Israel with backbreaking labor” (Exodus 1:13).
Maimonides defines backbreaking labor as “work that has no defined time or purpose—needless tasks meant only to keep the worker occupied.” This purposeless toil robbed the Jewish people of autonomy, forcing them into a cycle of endless, unproductive labor.
While modern society offers freedoms ancient Egypt did not, we can still find ourselves enslaved—whether to material possessions, societal pressures, or even our technological devices. Endless, purposeless work or the relentless chase for wealth mirrors this slavery.
The Torah, a guide for meaningful living, teaches that true freedom lies in aligning our lives with higher values. The Tanya, a foundational text in Jewish thought, explains that we each possess two souls: an animal soul, rooted in base desires, and a G-dly soul, rooted in intellect and higher purpose. By allowing our intellect to guide our actions, we can free ourselves from modern-day enslavement to materialism and focus on what truly matters.
Practical steps can help us reconnect with our values: spending uninterrupted time with loved ones, dedicating moments to prayer or Torah study, giving charity daily, and observing a digital-free Shabbat dinner. These small actions can ground us in our faith and help us appreciate life's blessings beyond material wealth.
The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, taught that the technological and industrial revolutions, along with the comforts and material abundance they have brought, can be regarded as true blessings—provided they are not seen as ends in themselves but as tools to bring humanity closer to redemption. When used wisely, these advancements can foster spiritual growth, education, charity, and connectivity, paving the way for a world filled with peace, prosperity, and kindness.
As Maimonides wrote, “In that era, there will be neither famine nor war, envy nor competition, for good will flow in abundance, and all delights will be as freely available as dust.”
Let us take these stories of faith and resilience as reminders to focus on the true meaning of wealth and use our resources to enrich our souls and positively transform the world. By doing so, we can ensure that our lives are not defined by what we own, but by the values we hold dear.
Let us pray and do an additional Mitzvah for the merit of the safety of the people of Israel, for the safe return of all of our hostages, and to become victorious over our enemies. May we continue to pray for a world where faith, kindness, and purpose prevail—and may we merit the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days!
