27 Kislev 5750
"Awaken, my dear brothers, and may we together be
awakened!"
Regarding everything which is taking place before us in the
world which our ears hear and our eyes see, events the likes
of which have not taken place [in our lifetimes] and which
are occurring so suddenly -- shall we not stand and reflect a
moment? [Shall we believe] that this is all a coincidence,
that the hand of G-d is not directing it all, chas
vesholom? [If we think so, then] this is what the
posuk "im teilchu imi bekeri, etc. refers to [with its
concomitant punishments].
The truth is that from the day of the declaration of World
War I in 5674 [1914] the entire world has been in a state of
suffering. Even though there have been declarations of peace
among many nations these have never constituted true peace
but were merely temporary armistices, as is well known.
Especially with respect to the Jewish people the situation
has continuously deteriorated. The time is not yet ripe for
the final reckoning and the repayment of sins but "G-d defers
his wrath and ultimately collects His debts." Our era,
wherever we may be, continues to take a major share in the
repayment of this debt.
Therefore, dear brothers, the single good piece of advice
which our forefathers and elders employed [for us] is
teshuvoh, and maasim tovim; to increase the
study of Torah; "to teach one's children and family to follow
in the path" transmitted to us by our ancestors and elders;
to avoid seeking alternate methods of [Torah] education, or
new ways and customs not conceived by previous generations,
which constitute a swerving from the way of Torah, and which
are even antagonistic to the pure and genuine path bequeathed
to us.
Thereby may we merit seeing the redemption of the Jewish
people and the raising of the standard of Torah and the Fear
of G-d.
From one who writes in pain.
Elozor Menachem Man Shach
