We've all heard the complaints about our modern, technological world—we're glued to our devices; we can't focus; nobody reads books anymore; we share photos of our breakfast, but hardly speak to the people right in front of us—we've all heard it a million times.
Well, what if our modern tech-crazy world was a child, and you were the child's parent. What would you want to teach a child like that? How would you get your child to reconnect with the real world and what's really important?
No matter how you define G-d—as a loving parent, a cosmic force, nature, or something too mysterious to name—He certainly has our attention right now.
So, is He punishing us for spending too much time on our phones? A quarantine would be a strange way to get people off the Internet. Or what if this pandemic is the consequence of our terrible sins? Is G-d fed up with our vanity, cruelty, and selfishness?
I believe in a different possibility. Today I am reminded of "Emunah" (Hebrew for "trust"). It means that we are consciously placing the burden of our concerns and worries on G-d and trusting that things will work out. I am grateful for the simplest things. My family is together at home. We eat dinner together every night and act silly or share deeply.
At this time, we are unable to depend on the things that bring us pleasure:—going to concerts, restaurants, museums and even the gym. We are now expected to stay inside and miss sporting events, concerts, weddings, graduations, birthdays, and quite tragically, even funerals.
But we can trust that we will get through this.
Perhaps this is the lesson G-d is trying to show us.
We know that the young and the strong generally can weather this virus quite well. But for the old and the weak—those who are already closer to death—the coronavirus is a killer.
Rather than just think of ourselves and the high anxiety that is rampant around us, think about making sacrifices for strangers in need. If you can spare it, spend a little extra at the grocery store for that gallon of milk needed at a food pantry. Skype with a friend who is alone, or just lonely. Call or message elderly neighbors to make sure they’re okay. And if you’re healthy—donate blood at your local Red Cross.
Use this time to relax or create beauty. Paint, knit, crochet, read books you've been meaning to read. Play music. REALLY listen to your children or spouse.
Maybe our problem is not that we're glued to our phones. Maybe our problem is that we don't know what life really is. And maybe G-d wants us to see just how significant our days really are.
Above all, remember that this too shall pass. So let’s do what we can to come through this better, stronger, and closer. That would be a happy ending.