First, I would like you to know how shocked and pained I and my friends and colleagues at Gateways are as a result of hearing of the earthquake and the tragedies that have unfolded because of it. We are following the coverage of the event with both interest and compassion. We share in the grief of the Japanese nation and all people affected.
But as Jews, we look for meaning in everything that happens in our lives and in the world, and it is in that light that I would like to suggest the following.
We are taught that when one sees an earthquake one should make the blessing "Blessed be He whose strength and power fill the world." This clearly expresses the belief that God controls earthquakes, and causes them so that we can experience His might and power. Why do some need to experience it now and why do some have to experience it more than others? I do not think that anyone can know for sure why other people experience earthquakes. But we can try to find meaning and purpose for ourselves as individuals.
Our Rabbis teach that if someone is suffering they should review their actions. There must be some way that this suffering can give meaning to a piece of my being that needed to be nurtured. According to Jewish law, if someone suffers a great personal loss they should say: "Blessed be He, the true Judge."
There is a wonderful Chassidic story about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov. He once had it announced that after the prayer service on Shabbat he would be lecturing on the subject of "What I, Levi Yitzchak, would do if I were God." There was much excitement about the topic, and the synagogue was filled to overflowing when the time for the discourse arrived. He dramatically made his way to the lectern, and in an emotional voice said: "If I, Levi Yitzchak were God, I would...do...exactly what God does! The problem is that I am not God, am not all-seeing and all-knowing, and that's why I don't understand so much of what He is doing." Essentially, that is what we mean when we make the blessing "Blessed be He, the true Judge."
As Jews we are ever hopeful that every dramatic event will bring us closer to a time when God's presence is openly revealed.
