Part 2- Luight Amidst Darkness

·        What is the one essential lesson that we can take away from “Shoshie that can address us right during the 3 weeks and tish b av.

·        So let’s go back to the original root of the problem of why we are in this mess in the first place.

·        The Gemara in mesechta Yoma – teaches us that the root cause of our current 2,000 year old exile, the destruction of our Bais Hamikdash

·        And most importantly what has drive Hashem’s presence from our lives was caused by “baseless hatred, and a lack of Jewish unity

·        We just didn’t’ care enough for each other, respect each other enough, accept, tolerate and appreciate each other enough.

·        We didn’t love each other enough-We didn’t do enough for each other, we were each in our own worlds just a little too much.

·        We didn’t realize that our national mission and a national responsibility of being a light unto the nations – and that begins with ourselves of how we treat one another

·        Being a light unto the other nations starts with being a light unto ourselves, a light to each other

·        When we understand that “love” is all there is –When we are united together –Jewish Unity is where it is at!

·        The Chofetz Chaim teaches us that - - -  that which exiled us, if not corrected -------is  preventing us from the bringing Moshiach, the redemption and God’s Presence.

·        So what is one thing about Shoshie’s life that can inspire us at this time to bring back all that was lost?

·        And even deeper what’s the very same that Hashem wanted us to focus on as a result of Shoshie’s Petira. Let’s work our way back!

·        It is not a coincidence that Shoshie left this world during time of Sefirah.

·         The time period between the 2^nd night of Pesach- and we count 50 days until Shavuot

·        These days are days of mourning – We don’t listen to music, get haircuts, get married – Why?

·        We remember and mourn the loss of 24,000 of Rebbe Akiva’s  students

·        The gemara tells us the cause of their calamity was she’lo nahagu kavod zeh la’zeh, they simply didn’t show enough respect to one another as much as was expected of them

·        They didn’t value each other as much as they could - the unique and special Neshama inherit in every person.

·        Shoshie Petira at this time was meant to point us in this direction of how we respect, appreciate and love one another –

·        Baseless Love-Jewish Unity the remedy for Baseless hatred.

·        Shoshie appreciated others- She saw others for who they truly were in a very simple, uncomplicated and pure way

·        And In that way, even just as a 12 years old, our daughter “Shoshie got it”.  She embodied what life is all about and if we take her lead, it will lead us back.

·        What did Shoshie get exactly? – To affirm, validate, respect and treasure every person we meet. 

·        And that every individual is created b’tzelem Elokim and therefore there is something to love in everyone and that they are worthy of love.

·        In a world where so many people tend to criticize, marginalize, condemn, and gossip about others And thereby trying to lift themselves up by putting others down

·        For Shoshie: It didn’t matter how: popular you were, pretty, what school you went to,

·        Which side of the tracks that you lived, how high or low the skirt was ,  whether or not the neckline was covered,

·        To her-there was “no other” - More specifically- She went to Bais Yakov (considered to the “right”), had her bat  Mitzvah program with the Hillel girls (more to the left),

·        Tons of friends on Montoya circle (more modern) , Camp Gan Izzy brought her friendship Chabad families and public school girls

·        Do you know who came to pay their respects at the Shiva all of whom met Shoshie personally?

-         The A.C guy from Israel -  Howie the bug guy

-         The UPS guy - The Gardener

·        Shoshie got what many fail to get in their life time.-  

·        We can do this too! Shoshie wasn’t a Burrough Park girl, completely pure,  sheltered, aidle, quiet, girl from an artscroll book- and god forbid there is nothing wrong with that –

·        But Shoshie was a “normal” girl –shopping, instagram, skate-boarding, competitive, a girly girl in many ways painted toes, nails - If Shoshie can do it we can do it

·        Yet, without even realizing it, at 12 years old Shoshie understood what life is all about. It wasn’t hard for her at all

·        Let’s finish up

·        Let’s be real when we daven – every day- 3 times a day –Live behind the curtain

·        Hashem “Gather our exiles from the four corners of the earth, to our land

·        “May you speedily cause the offspring of your servant to flourish (Moshiach) – We hope for your salvation  all the day

·        “And to Yerushalayim, your city, may you return in compassion, and may you rest within it, as you have spoken., May you rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure

·        Turn us not away empty handed – be gracious to us, answer us , hear our prayers

·        Restore the service to the Holy of Holies of your Temple

·        May our eyes behold your return to Zion

·        The we conclude – establish peace, goodness, blessing, life, graciousness, compassion, kindness upon us and all of your people Israel

·        Lastly –our lesson and goal  - Bless us our father as one – with the light of your countenance

·        We have got to be “one” – Jewish Unity and then Gd willing

·        Hashem will bless all of us – in every season, in every hour with Peace