Freedom. We aspire to it. We fight for it. Yet do we live it?
Earlier this week, as part of the annual men’s mission to Israel, we had dinner with Or Levy; hostage for 491 days chained for the majority of this time.
It’s not hard to imagine that we all felt the full gamut of emotions. It was essentially a joyous evening with a tremendous insight into the indomitable spirit of the nation of Israel. At times, I felt like my grandmother obm — as I passed food dishes Or’s way, concerned that he wasn’t eating enough and possessing an intense pride for a dear brother that ran deeper than words can express.
He didn’t know his wife was killed as he was taken captive and in totality his son had lived longer in this world not knowing him. That was his return to “freedom”.
Freedom takes many shapes. It’s easy to imagine Or’s glorious moment of freedom, somewhat more difficult to define freedom for ourselves in a democratic country with rights and freedoms.
Are we truly free with all our vices and addictions? Can we honestly shout about freedom when our opinions are largely formed by all sorts of media and agenda driven outlets or our inner fears that steal our ability to rationally think? Let’s face it, the definition of freedom requires real reflection.
I grew up pondering the Mishnaic wisdom that true freedom is one who studies Torah. How? When? So many restrictions in all facets of life — hardly a definition of freedom. Perhaps the contrary.
Experience has illuminated however, the truth of this statement. You see, freedom isn’t the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. That’s animalistic —not freedom. Freedom is the ability to choose how to live your “purpose” in life. Purpose isn’t what we choose. It’s not what we create. Rather, it’s what we tap into. Or levy didn’t choose to be a hostage, he did choose how to react to his circumstance. As he smiled and joked with us, not for one second was I fooled by his facade. We were sitting with a man in pain. Deep grief. Shattered dreams and irreversible psychological effects. Yet he was smiling— he was “free” to choose how to react to it all.
The study of Torah isn’t merely about knowing the laws or cynically about controlling our lives. It’s about connecting with our souls, our essence — transcending our physical selves which is limited, thereby attaining our true essential self. In other words “freedom”; connecting with our purpose.
Earlier this week we sat with a released hostage. Next week we sit at the Passover Seder with our families celebrating what our ancestors celebrated for thousands of years — “freedom”. We are here as a people despite adversity with an indisputably miraculous journey.
The Seder is an opportunity for us all to share a message of depth with our families — a captive audience eagerly awaiting the upcoming feast.
What will be your message? Think now or forever hold your… or is it freedom?
Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor
P.S. As we prepare for Passover it’s a big mitzvah to provide for those who can’t afford to celebrate — join the pre Passover Tzedaka drive — Maot Chittim — it’ll enhance your celebration.