We are not sure what to say. As children, we lived through the days of a severe polio epidemic. Parents were encouraged to not allow their children to visit playgrounds and public swimming pools. In 1957-1958 there was the Asian flu pandemic that swept across the world including the United States, having originated in the Far East. At no time do we remember anyone in our family or in the communities that we lived being as obsessed with the dangers that may be incurred by that flu. The flu has been around for ages and ages. Most drink lots, take tylenol, and after several days of suffering, recover.
Yes it is true that every year there is a relatively small percentage of people who die from it. It is also true, as in all of these situations, people with compromised health issues have a far greater risk of becoming seriously ill and in some cases the illness has led to their demise. Whereas in the past there have been high incidents of children getting the flu, in some of these pandemics it seems clear from practically every statistic we have read that children are not probable to be victims of this flu, and if so, in most cases it will be a milder form than an adult might suffer from (again, keeping in mind that they would have no pre-existing health conditions).
In the meantime, we thought that at our age we had a pretty good understanding of people’s behavior, but we still are dumbfounded at reports that toilet paper is sold out in many stores. Hand sanitizers, ramen noodles are some of the products that are disappearing from shelves prior to the storekeepers being able to restock. We are trying to be understanding, but toilet paper? Is there something that we do not know about?
The world is in a panic, or shall we say some of the local world is concerned about their Pesach plans. What will happen if we fly to Israel and then we will not be able to return? Perhaps that might be Hashem’s way of suggesting to more people that they make aliyah. Many are discussing hesitation to get on an airplane. For us, the creme de la creme of concerns is for those who are considering the possibility of not attending their revered Pesach programs. Kal vachomer, as we often say, what if the program is canceled? Perhaps the local rabbanim will consider canceling Pesach. We doubt it very much. What it might mean is that children would learn how to make homemade horseradish and chop the apples for the charoset in their very own kitchens. The smell of the delicious foods blended together to make Pesach that much more special might not have the aroma of the ocean, but they might teach us all a lesson of what should be. Sedarim taking place in a family dining room rather than in a hall with hundreds if not thousands of others trying to recite their own rendition of the Haggadah might encourage children to expound on what they learn in school with much more enthusiasm. In fact, what the enormous costs are of going away for this particular chag, there is no doubt in our minds that help could easily be afforded to do many of the chores around the holiday preparation.
We keep asking ourselves why we are not in a state of panic as so many others seem to be. The only thing we can think of is that we have become very accustomed to moving through life to the best of our ability with whatever challenges come our way. It is a lesson that we think is well worth sharing. We are simple human beings waking up each day grateful for the opportunities we have had in our life and for our future life together whatever it might be.
Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick are living in Bergenfield after many years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. Rabbi Glick was the rav of Congregation Ahavat Yisroel as well as a practicing clinical psychologist in private practice. He also taught at Champlain Regional College. The Glicks were frequent speakers at the OU marriage retreats. Nina coordinated all Yachad activities in Montreal and was a co/founder of Maison Shalom, a group home for young adults with special needs. They can be reached at [email protected].
