Community Magazine January 2016

20 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE not have to travel. Gd was next to him, and this is why his prayers were answered. The angel therefore told Hagar that Gd answered Yishmael’s prayers “at the place where he is” – meaning, because Gd was there with him. In the verse cited earlier, Yeshayahu informs us that Gd resides among not only people in distress, but also those of lowly spirit. If a person is genuinely humble, and clearly senses his state of helpless dependence, then Gd is with him. He is right there, and so the person’s prayers do not need to travel. When a truly humble person prays, he makes a “local call.” His prayers do not need to travel, and thus they are more likely to achieve the desired result. This concept, too, is alluded to in Gd’s response to Moshe, “ Mah titz’ak elai .” He is teaching us that “ mah ” – a person should say about himself, as Moshe and Aharon did, “ venahnu mah, ” that he is insignificant in relation to Gd, and then “ titz’ak ” – he should pray. If he prays in this fashion, with this mindset, then “ elai ” – his prayers will reach Gd, because Gd will be right next to him. Vulnerability in the Modern Age This message of “ shfal ru’ah ,” of the need to feel humble and helpless before Gd, is, unfortunately, much easier to convey today than in years past. Not too long ago, I would have faced the challenge of trying to convince people living in what outwardly appeared as a condition of security and stability that they are, in fact, vulnerable and dependent on Gd’s grace. Tragically, this job has become relatively easy in our day and age. Hardly a week goes by without heartbreaking news of terror, of young, healthy people waking up one morning like on any other, without realizing this was their last day. Whether it’s our dear brothers and sisters in Israel facing nearly daily terror attacks, or terrorism in France and even here in the United States – the world is becoming more dangerous and less secure. Over the last year, we have witnessed deadly attacks on synagogues, supermarkets, bus stops, theaters and office buildings – ordinary places where people go all the time. We feel more vulnerable now than ever before. As our community scrambles to shore up security, as we must, we are, at the same time, coming to terms with the grim, disquieting reality that we are exposed to the risk of violent terrorist attacks wherever we are. My intention here is not to frighten or depress anybody, but to the contrary, to bring us all comfort and a sense of ease by emphasizing the message of “ ve’et daka ushfal ru’ah ” – that Gd is with us when we recognize how much we depend on Him for even our very lives. We of course need to take prudent measures to protect ourselves, but we should not live in fear, because we know Hashem is right here with us. As long as we believe and genuinely feel that we are “dust and ash,” “a worm, and not a man,” that we are entirely under Gd’s control, we can enjoy the security of living under His protection. And when we live with Him at our side, we can feel confident that He is listening attentively to every word of prayer we recite, and will help us just as He helped our ancestors at the sea, and just as He helped the Jewish Nation at every station along our extraordinary 4,000-year history. Moshe Babak Rambod Asset Protection Specialist 718-619-8990 718-382-6015 Brambod2@gmail.com www.prohealthalliance.com HELPING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER Health | Life | Disability |Tax Strategies Medicare Advantage | Estate and Legacy Planning | Long Term Care and more! IND PARENT AND CHILD HUSBAND AND WIFE FAMILY $560.57 $1121.13 $952.96 $1597.61 $566.86 $1131.72 $961.96 $1612.40 *CALL OR VISIT ON THE WEB FOR COMPLETE SUMMARY OF BENEFIT OR COMPLETE PRICE LIST WITH ALL OTHER PLANS • Healthy NY Plans • Individual plans (on/off exchange ) • Child health plus • Small business • Large business fully insured/self-insured Professional Health Alliance • Copay $25/$40 • Deductible $600 ind /$1200 max per family • Prescription $10/$35/$70 • Emergency room copay $150 • Include kids dental and vision GOLD PLAN FOR QUALIFIED BUSINESSES* (1-100 employees) (101-5000 employees) OXFORD BLUE CROSS Dedicated inmemory of the pure neshamot of the Sassoon children