Dear Friends,
On this Veteran’s Day, I hope that each of us will take a moment to thank a person who has served or is serving in the military. I have had the privilege of interacting with a number of people in the military in my capacity as rabbi and in my capacity as adjunct professor at local universities. I am unable to fully grasp the sacrifice which these brave people make on our behalf. The military personnel and their families are living a life style that challenges their relationships, their faith, and their opportunities to spend quality family time.
As a child and teenager growing up, we had a much different attitude toward the military. It was during the Vietnam War and many were questioning U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, many took out their frustrations on the soldiers as they returned and I can’t imagine what those returning from Vietnam must have experienced. In today’s world we are much more aware about post traumatic stress syndrome and other issues which returning vets face. Back in the 60’s, the support of our troops by the American people was not nearly as present as it seems to be today.
On a totally different matter, we are all saddened and shocked by the events which have occurred at Penn State University. I hope that there will not be a rush to judgement about what the appropriate consequences are for all those who were involved in the despicable act of sexual abuse and for those who knew certain things but were not as diligent as they might have been in reporting this information. We are taught by the famous rabbi, the Chofetz Chaim, that lashon hara, negative speech, hurts the one who says the negative things, one who hears the negative things, and the one about whom the negative things are said. After reading the accounts which I have seen and listening to so many reports about what happened, it is clear that we don’t have all the information. We must always be careful to not judge someone until we know all the facts. The Talmud states that we should not judge someone until we have been in their place.
I hope that we will pray for the victims of the abuse whose lives have been changed forever. We also must never ignore claims that someone has been abused and must not dismiss what has occurred as not being serious. In my rabbinic experience, I have learned the complexity of these situations and the incomplete communication that often occurs, making it very difficult to ascertain what really happened. When I hear about these kinds of occurrences in our community, I encourage those involved to pursue counseling and try to ensure that they are receiving help and support. I believe that one thing is for certain: if you are being abused or know of a case where someone is being abused, please let someone know. These things should not be kept silent and yet, often individuals don’t share this information and they live with the pain because they are afraid to share this information.
On a separate note, as I write this, the National’s catcher, Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped and our prayers are with him and his family for his safe return.
What a complicated time to be living and a challenging world in which we live. I hope that through prayer, study, and connection to our religious heritage through your involvement with Hillel , we all will find the strength and faith to confront whatever comes our way.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce Aft