As the terrorist rammed his truck into innocent cyclists on the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, my brother-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Zaklos was driving a van full of kids to the Hebrew School of Chabad of Battery Park City just two blocks away.
Consider the polar opposites: a truck of terror and, l’havdil, a vehicle of goodness. Yet, there is something that even we, as ambassadors of goodness, should take note of.
Today's terrorists are not like the terrorists of the past.
Once, in order to be a terrorist, they were required to undergo a meticulous recruitment process, to practice at some remote training camp for several months, to maintain secret contact with operators and to receive encrypted instructions. In the end, after months of training and planning, the attack was carried out.
Today's terrorists are completely different.
The terrorist who carried out the murderous attack this week in New York, did not even have his own truck. Neither did he receive orders from anyone. Yet eight lives were lost and many others were injured because of his evil and hatred.
“From my enemies I have gained wisdom” says King David in Psalms. If the side of the negativity has changed strategy, it means that we too, on the side of good and positivity, need to change our strategy.
What do I mean?
Once, in order to do good things on a large scale, people had to go the long route: Open a large charity organization and raise money for those in need; influence the board of directors of an influential organization to effect social change; Spend years in Yeshiva to receive rabbinical ordination so you are assigned a position of influence within a Jewish community…
Today, it is much simpler and easier. Today we can and must act faster. Today, a simple pre-existing web platform can be harnessed to raise support for your cause. You don’t have to set up an organization. Social media gives you the ability to create awareness of a societal issue that needs improved. Don’t wait for Federations or boards. And you don’t have to be a Rabbi to influence a friend to engage in Judaism.
We must create explosions of holiness, of goodness and kindness. Don’t wait for instructions or protocol, just go ahead and unleash your goodness!