Optimism
Wiener Riesenrad, Vienna, Austria
Once, a disciple of the Rebbe Rashab, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneerson (1860-1920), despairingly came to the Rebbe to receive his blessing and guidance after experiencing a devastating loss to his once successful business.
The Rebbe Rashab listened and then said:
“One of the wondrous attractions in Vienna is a great big wheel with glass, iron-framed cars hanging from it (the Wiener Riesenrad, constructed in Vienna in 1887, one of the oldest extant Ferris wheels in the world). As the wheel turns, the cars rise and the riders on top can see very far. As it continues to turn, the cars on the bottom rise to the top while those on top are lowered.
Our Sages tell us that circumstances in this world are likened to a wheel that turns. And similar to the Ferris wheel, those on top look down at those on the ground as insignificant, and those in the bottom cars feel downtrodden and utterly hopeless.
But both are mistaken, for neither will necessarily remain in their current state forever.”
The Rebbe concluded the metaphor by addressing his disciple: “Remove the sadness from your heart. Strengthen your faith and have courageous trust in G-d.”
After receiving a blessing for success, the man returned to his hometown with a new sense of hope and confidence. Shortly afterwards, his business successfully picked up again.
In this week’s Torah portion, Bo, we learn about the first Mitzvah the Jewish people were given prior to their Exodus from Egypt: Rosh Chodesh, to sanctify the beginning of the month based on the appearance of the new moon. Marking the new month informed the Jewish people regarding the appropriate times to celebrate the holidays, life cycle events and many other Jewish customs and traditions.
The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar months as opposed to the solar year. While the sun’s light remains steady and consistent, the moon, on the other hand, waxes and wanes each month. The Talmud relates that the Jewish people calculate their calendar according to the moon for they resemble the moon.
Just as the moon wanes and becomes concealed, for a certain time the Jewish people endure challenging moments. The shining of the moon anew each month, however, reassures us of the coming of the ultimate rebirth — the Redemption.
While the Jewish people had just experienced immense hardships during their slavery in Egypt, G-d was empowering them to learn from the moon and never give up in the face of adversity. Throughout our long history, we have experienced many highs and lows along our journey. But, miraculously, we have survived it all and continue to thrive in modern times.
The rotation of the moon reminds us to remain optimistic in challenging times and to remain humble, grateful and generous in good times.
This coming week, on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, we commemorate the anniversary of when the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, accepted the mantle of Jewish leadership in 1951 and declared the mission statement for our generation.
Guiding a generation who had just survived the holocaust, one of the greatest evil of modern history, the Rebbe empowered each individual to never lose hope in the face of darkness and to work on revealing and seeing the true beauty of the world and of the people around us.
He encouraged every individual, regardless of their background or level of observance, to love each another unconditionally and to use their talents and capabilities to positively influence their surroundings through the teachings of the Torah and performance of Mitzvot.
In his inaugural speech, he declared, “Our generation was entrusted with a special mission to complete the task that Abraham our forefather had begun which is to reveal the divinity within creation and to fulfill our purpose of making this world a home for G-d by ushering in the final redemption.
Our Sages associate the moon’s periodic rebirth with the ultimate renewal our people will experience in the Era of the Redemption. Along with our nation's rebirth, the entire world will also be renewed and all nations will live at peace and harmony with one another. May it happen speedily in our days!
