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ב"ה

A human-made miracle

Thursday, 26 December, 2024 - 9:00 am

On January 17, 1994, at 4:31 AM, a devastating earthquake struck Los Angeles. Dozens were killed, many were injured, fires broke out, roads were torn apart, and in virtually every home, items fell from shelves, and glassware shattered. At that time, in a synagogue on Pico Boulevard, a yeshiva student was sitting and studying Talmud. During those long seconds of the earthquake, the entire synagogue was shaken—books fell to the floor, and cabinets collapsed. The student closed his Talmud but did not flee to save his life. Instead, he began picking up book after book, kissing each one and placing it back in its place. He continued doing this for nearly three long hours. At 7:30 AM, the brave members of the minyan arrived, having made their way from home to the synagogue. When they entered, they witnessed a “miracle”! Across the city, everything was scattered on the ground, but in their synagogue, everything was in place. Not a single book had fallen, and not a single glass was broken. A miracle! Simply a miracle! (I heard this story from the late Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon, of blessed memory.) While the congregants were marveling at the miracle that had occurred in their synagogue, the student sat quietly to the side and decided not to tell them what he had done. He chose not to take away their miracle. When I heard this story, I thought that he couldn’t really take away their miracle—because they indeed experienced a miracle. A miracle that he made. A human-made miracle. Chanukah is a holiday of miracles. „Nes Gadol Haya Sham," is written on the dreidels. We pray the “Al Hanissim” prayer, thanking G-d "for Your miracles and for Your wonders." But perhaps, sometimes, it’s worth remembering that young man from Pico Boulevard and recalling that we, too, can do things that will be miracles for others. We can create miracles for others, and with G-d’s help, in the next round, someone will create a miracle for us. I am not speaking of holy individuals whose blessings and prayers bring about miracles. I cannot fathom their greatness. I am speaking of people, women, and children—just like you and me—ordinary folks who do what is necessary, even when it is hard and challenging. Those who rise despite injury, trauma, scratches, and difficulties. Those who get up in the morning, shake their heads, and keep moving forward. Perhaps not with full strength, but they continue onward. I am also speaking of those who made plans that collapsed, yet they keep going. Of those who started a business, invested in it, and it hasn’t taken off, yet they persist. To all those hoping for a small miracle to brighten their day—may they know that they have the power to create a miracle for others, and with G-d’s help, they too will find someone to create a miracle for them. Shabbat Shalom and a bright, happy Chanukah, Rabbi Zalman Wishedski
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