By
Rabbi Hershy Z. Ten
With the Jewish New Year just over a month behind us, and the long nights of winter closing in, Jewish communities throughout the world have begun their new cycle of the weekly Krias haTorah. The parshiyos throughout sefer Bereishis describe the greatness of our Avos and the permanent impact they had on the world in which they lived, the children they bore, and the future of the Jewish people and humanity.
The first of the Avos, Avraham Avinu, is presented to us as a majestic and benevolent individual who possessed an unsurpassed level of empathy. Avraham Avinu was deeply affected not only by the plight of his own family, but by that of strangers whose lives may be in jeopardy. Despite his unwavering compassion for all, his steadfast commitment to those in need was never confused with weakness. Avraham was able to convey his kindness for the frail, the forgotten, and the sick while still exhibiting great strength and resolve when demanded of him.
G-d bestowed upon him the title Av Hamon Goyim (the father of many nations) and Avraham is identified throughout the literature of our Sages as the embodiment of chessed. It is our Patriarchs’ actions, character, and values to which we must look for inspiration and the blueprint for a meaningful life.
I believe I speak for many of us in stating that this year’s election cycle was an almost never-ending litany of drama, featuring passionately opposed politicians and supporters coupled with a barrage of media bias unlike no other in my memory. Adding fuel to the fire was the disheartening rhetoric and dishonesty prevalent throughout social media and our national news sources, regardless of the candidate or political affiliation. This year more than ever, we witnessed news outlets sharing half-truths, even flat-out lies, solely to promote their agenda; where sensationalism outplayed accuracy, and bias prevailed over accountability. This breakdown of common decency seemed aimed to strip away people’s dignity and illustrated a tragic collapse in our society with regard to how we treat those of opposing views and, more specifically, how we treat our fellow man.
To be human is to be flawed. Even the holiest of men and women who do their utmost to maintain the highest moral standard throughout their daily lives can suffer from making a poor decision, regardless if it was of their own accord or if they fell prey to another’s malicious intent. However, does a single flaw define one’s entire character and negate a lifetime of achievement or public service?
In America, our president must possess inordinate strength and wisdom, balanced with a genuine compassion and desire to answer the call for help from those who are underserved and less fortunate. Above all else, when a president reveals his steadfast commitment to humanity, it humanizes all of us and reflects the greatness of Americans. It’s human nature to believe things that jibe with our own beliefs; in this day and age, however, the endless plethora of misinformation at our fingertips can warp one’s opinion in the very worst way. We often take stories we read at face value because the writer’s opinion validates our own. However, we all know that not everything we see or hear is true, and it’s up to us to be diligent in vetting stories that carry such magnitude.
With this is mind, I am compelled to retell a very personal story featuring the extraordinary kindness Donald Trump showed to me and my family many years ago. I share this with the hope that it may inspire some readers to take a step back from the incessant negativity perpetuated by the media; to take a breath before reiterating another sensationalized headline that’s solely designed to distract, and learn the firsthand account of two parents whose desperate call to a New York icon on behalf of their critically ill son was answered without hesitation.
My history with Donald Trump began in July 1988. At that time my wife and I had been living in Los Angeles for five years after moving from New York. Our beautiful 3-year-old son Avraham Moshe was suffering from a severe lung condition.
