By Mrs. Cipi Junik
The last time I sat Shiva in the most unfortunate and tragic of circumstances, we were 14 people.
I knew that the next time I would sit Shiva, (as my mother was nearing a full century of life), I would sit alone. I am an only child. What I could NOT have foreseen was that I literally would be sitting alone in a world that has plunged us all into isolation.
Sitting here makes me reflect on the power of one:
The power of one soul.
The power of one single holocaust survivor of a family who replants her tree.
The power of an only child who adds branches that blossom and bear fruit.
The power of one good deed.
The power of one kind word that brings one comfort.
The power of one errand that puts food on an empty table.
The power of one phone call that gives a shut-in the will to live.
The power of one doctor who guides his colleagues and community.
The power of one Hatzolah medic who arrives on the scene in the nick of time.
In reality, that is how Hashem intended us to be. “Nivrah Odom Yechidi”: Man was created alone, for him to know the power of ONE individual. We have the koach to change the world, word by word, deed by deed, and action by action. Hashem gave us this power by putting his Oneness, “Chelek Eloka Mimal,” into each and every one of us.
In this trying time we have discovered the common bond between us – WE are all really ONE. Though we may be divided by walls and fences, we are united by heart and the singular goal to bring sustenance and safety to each other. This oneness was the bone our enemies, who sought to destroy us, always picked at. “Yeshno Am Echad” was Haman’s main complaint.
Our resilience is that we are ONE nation, united by one Torah. Our previous divisiveness due to background, social status, personal opinions and the like, has now fallen away to unite us in what really matters in life.
Yes, I may be sitting Shiva alone – but I am alone with the Koach HaYochid with which Hashem has gifted me.
Look around yourself – is there one deed with which you can make a difference in someone else’s day?
Is there one kind word with which you can empower another with encouragement and hope?
There is only one question for us to ask ourselves now: “How can I ALONE make a difference?”
Dear Morah Junik,
Thank you for this insightful thought. I enjoyed your classes in HS, and appreciate your sharing this beautiful concept now. May your mother be a melitzah yosheres on behalf of your family and Klal Yisrael.
Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch shaar avilei Zion v’Yerushalaim.
Yehudis (Bogomilsky) Leiter
Efrat, Israel
Hashem should continue to give dr Rosen and all our community doctors strength and their life should be overflowing with brachos ! They carry our community’s sick on their shoulders . Especially now when the hospitals don’t allow family , dr Rosen is making sure all his patients are taken care of . !
For your inspiring words coming from a deep place within you…
May we see your mother soon, with moshiach!
Beautifully written. Well said. Hashem should be Menachem you!!!
For such insight & for voicing a unique perspective.
So sorry for your loss but your parents must both be beaming with pride for having raised such a positive daughter
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem Be’soch sha’ar avelay tzion ve’yerushalayim
May we all be blessed with health & happiness in the future
Thank you for sharing Cipi..
We miss seeing your mother..
May Hashem comfort you..
Hamakom yenachem eschem b’soch shaar aveilei tzion v’yerushalayim
Yaakov and Tzivia Chaya Rosenthal
Dear cipi , my tears tell me that at this moment of sorrow I am one heart with you .as a single woman with no branches or blossoms visible I have often learned the way of ONE.may the ONE be with you in this time
Thank you for the inspiration. I was alone when my mother a”h went unconscious, alone in taking her body to Israel, alone on the last day of shiva due to the time difference. I have to know that Hashem was with me the whole time. That’s what my mother a”h always told me.