Digesting Disappointment
I was scheduled to take a plane from Paris. But the flight was detained for a number of hours due to a delay in the arrival of the food. All the passengers had to remain in the airport until the time of departure. I tried to spend the time constructively, writing glosses on the Torah. Among my writings, I penned the following:
I am writing this in an airport in Paris. Our flight is delayed due to the food arriving late. The plane will not take off before the food is brought on. What is so terrible if we won’t have food? Don’t we fast during specific days of the year? I have no interest in food; all I want is to arrive at my destination in peace.
I am surrounded by gentiles. The delay in the flight is no cause of concern for them. All they discuss is the food. They genuinely feel deprived of a good meal and unlimited drinks. Every minute, they are phoning home, relating to their families the injustice of it all, and how they will have to suffice on sandwiches. What a terrible shame! They cannot fathom the thought of being deprived of a proper meal. In contrast, regarding Am Yisrael, a nation which constantly sacrifices itself for its ideals, we recite (Tehillim 44:23), “For Your sake we are killed all the time.”
This incident illustrates the contrast between Am Yisrael and the nations of the world. The gentiles could not stomach a flight without food. Whereas Am Yisrael fast often, according to Hashem’s command, thereby committing the desire for food to a Higher ideal. They sanctify that which is permitted for a more elevated cause.
- With the Tzaddik, the Admor of Dushinsky, zt”l
