Helping LA

Fires have always been a devastating part of life on planet earth. Our ancient talmudic sages wrestled with what it feels like when you’re on your way home, and you hear a fire truck passing by on your street. They understand the immediate panic this causes the individual… what if it's YOUR house that this fire truck has been called to? Or your best friends? Or your local school that’s ablaze? So the rabbis offer us this really hard advice to follow: One shouldn't pray, "Please God, let it not be my house burning!"

Um, but that’s literally the FIRST thing I would think!  

Well, our sages explain, it's a pointless prayer - either your house is on fire, or it is safe. If your place is burning down, praying won’t change it, that’s not how God operates. And if it ISN’T your house that’s ablaze, that means another poor soul’s house is on fire, and that would still be an awful thing to hope for. Either way, you heard it here first: prayer is useless in this situation! It won’t change the reality of the fire. 

In times of disaster, wishes, even educated ones, and hopes won't change the situation. It's a time of action. If we need divine guidance, we pray for the strength of mind to know how to react to this horrific situation. If we are told to evacuate, we can pray for level headedness to pack what we need. If fire has destroyed our stuff, we pray for the courage to ask for help from other humans not affected by the fire, and the willingness to turn to our loving communities. If we have time and resources to volunteer, we can mobilize to be the helpers, support our firefighters, take in friends, or donate stuff to those who have suffered losses. 

Hillel will be open this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM and we will be collecting water, toiletries, and school supplies which we will donate to those in great need and to our incredibly brave and tireless firefighters. We'll continue to collect items through January 29.

It has been inspiring to see how many of you are checking in with one another and being sources of comfort and strength to those whose lives have been upended by these devastating fires, and darn strong Santa Ana winds. Thank you for your courage, resilience and generosity. To anyone reading this who has personally been affected by these fires: our hearts are open to you and our entire community is here to help - not just through prayer but through action.

-Rabbi Jess Yarkin