This article discusses Chabad's reaction to the Mumbai terrorists attacks. They call for acts of loving kindness and the performing of commandments rather than revenge against the terrorists. This will bring light into the world giving darkness no place to exist.
Despite the fact that the terrorist attack in Mumbai last week has been likened to the attack on New York on September 11, 2002, the response by the Chabad community worldwide has been nothing like that of the United States after that horrific event. In fact, it has been just the opposite.
Rather than asking the world to take revenge on the terrorists, Chabad has requested that the Jewish world in particular respond by performing "mitzvot," or commandments. These include acts of loving kindness, giving charity, lighting Sabbath and holiday candles, saying prayers, and studying Torah (the Old Testament or Bible) among other things. Even 6,000 college students united to take part in an emergency "Mitzvot for Mumbai" campaign launched by the Chabad on Campus International Foundation.
This community, is not only mourning the death of two people who have been called "tzaddikim," righteous ones, well loved and doing much good work in Mumbai, but also is having to deal with the fact that they are a terrorist target,. Yet, they are neither striking out in anger nor cowering in fear. Rather, they are reaching out and asking people to respond with love and good deeds in a time when hate and aggression seems the preferred emotions and actions to take.
When the Chabad house was attacked on November 26, Chabad Emissary Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivkah were murdered. The Holtzberg's son, who celebrates his 2nd birthday on that day, was saved by his courageous nanny. Interestingly, Rivkah's parents requested that in her memory, Jewish women should light Shabbat (Sabbath) candles each Friday. In this way, just when the world seems darkest, women, who traditionally have the role of lighting Shabbat candles each Friday night, help bring light into the world. The hope remains that if enough women light candles each Friday, and if enough Jews fill the world with Torah and mitzvot, they also can fill the world with enough light so that terror and darkness have nowhere to hide.
That said, even those people who aren't Jewish can learn something from Chabad's response to the attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai -- and can take similar action. If enough people in general - Jews and non-Jews alike - do good deeds and say prayers, we can accomplish the same thing. We can shine enough light into the world to create change in a very different manner.
Tips for Celebrating Valentines Day on a Tight Budget
Given the current economic situation, this year people may want to try and save money on Valentine's Day. They can alleviate the financial strain of Valentine's Day without missing out on its romance by trying these five tips for celebrating the day of love in a "non-commercial but meaningful" manner.Make 2009 the Year You Live Your Life Fully
This article offers three tips on how to live life fully in the New Year despite the current economic crisis.Thanksgiving Provides Antidote to Anxiety Caused by Economic Crisis
When depression and anxiety caused by the financial crisis keep you stuck in your current situation, feeling grateful for small things moves you towards postive action and change. Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to focus on gratitude and to stop being victimized by personal financial fallout from the economic crisis.