Religious Judaism is under attack. We find ourselves in the cross-hairs - being threatened physically by a rise in antisemitic hate crimes and terrorism. And spiritually, things are no easier. We are fighting battles on multiple fronts and while these threats are less overt, they are in some ways more insidious. We find ourselves in dark times and sometimes it truly feels that we will soon find ourselves in the midst of an epic showdown between the forces of good and evil.
As a card-carrying member of Generation Y, I found myself turning to Harry Potter for inspiration on how to prepare for this battle. (While I am not endorsing all of the content in the Harry Potter books/movies, I do think that there is chachma (wisdom) that can be gleaned.)
Here are a few lessons that can inspire us for the difficult days ahead:
It is not about the tools you have been given, but how you use them.
As a card-carrying member of Generation Y, I found myself turning to Harry Potter for inspiration on how to prepare for this battle. (While I am not endorsing all of the content in the Harry Potter books/movies, I do think that there is chachma (wisdom) that can be gleaned.)
Here are a few lessons that can inspire us for the difficult days ahead:
It is not about the tools you have been given, but how you use them.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore says, "It is our choices that tell us who we really are, far more than our abilities.” Many powerful witches and wizards made choices about how to use their magic, personality and strengths in the Harry Potter books. While some chose to use them for positive purposes, others chose to use them for evil or personal gain. When Harry asked the Sorting Hat to place him in Gryffindor despite a certain proclivity toward Syltherin, he demonstrated that he wanted to use his strengths for good. Every single one of us has unique strengths that can be used for either positive or negative purposes. Through studying Torah and mussar (character development), we learn how to best channel our strengths and use them to better ourselves, others, and the world.
Where you come from is much less important then where you are going.
Where you come from is much less important then where you are going.
The characters in Harry Potter who come from the most humble beginnings often accomplish the greatest things for the magical community. Hermoine, arguably the brightest wizard in Harry's year, is muggle-born but ends up becoming one of Hogwart's greatest witches. As Dumbledore says, "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be." Similarly, our community is extremely diverse and includes people from many religious and ethnic backgrounds. This includes many individuals who were not raised observant but chose to become more religious later in life - as well as those who are converts to Judaism. These individuals bring unique perspectives and strengths to our community and the continued growth of Judaism will depend on our continuing to encourage and embrace these contributions.
Community is essential.
Community is essential.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry and his friends realize that in order to have any chance of winning the battle against Voldemort, they will need to form a community of individuals with shared convictions and values. Many of us juggle multiple roles and belong to many different communities. We are, therefore, exposed to multiple viewpoints and value systems (this is especially true on social media). This can help us develop a broader outlook as well as a a large social network which can be very positive. Nevertheless, it is important to also have a core group of friends who share your deepest values and demonstrate a deep commitment to religious and spiritual growth. Our close friends, as well as the community we most identify with, will ultimately have the greatest impact on our beliefs and behavior. Let's choose wisely.
It is important to look beyond the surface; externals are often misleading.
It is important to look beyond the surface; externals are often misleading.
The characters who initially seemed good (or at least neutral), such as Dolores Umbridge, inevitably reveal their true colors. Conversely, Snape, who seemed to be siding with Voldemort until the very end, risked everything for Harry. We too, live in an "olam hafuch" (upside-down world) where things are often not how they seem. We need to move beyond the superficial and think deeply about the ideas and people we encounter in order to determine what they are really made of. There are many people out there who portray themselves as "frum" but are spreading ideas that are antithetical to the Torah - especially online. By being intentional and mindful about the content we expose ourselves to, we will be better able to remain focused on our true goals and values.
It is important to choose leaders well and then place our trust in them.
It is important to choose leaders well and then place our trust in them.
In Harry Potter, Dumbledore is the quintessential leader and mentor, and it is his wise guidance that helps shape Harry into the person he becomes. Harry realizes early on that Dumbledore exemplifies true greatness and chooses to trust in him even though he continues to have doubts at times. Unfortunately, the Jewish community has had leaders that have let us down (horribly in some cases), but we also would not be where we are today without good leaders! We, like Harry, need to be discerning in who we choose to turn to for guidance and identify leaders who don't just look good but are good - and then turn to them for guidance in our personal and spiritual growth.
Love is the most important factor in transmitting our values to the next generation.
Love is the most important factor in transmitting our values to the next generation.
It is his mother's love that protects Harry from Voldemort and is a source of strength for him as he confronts many challenges. Both Harry and Voldemort were orphaned and grew up in difficult circumstances; however, Harry was able to access his earliest memories of his mother's love for him and also accept love from others (including his friends, the Weasleys, Dumbledore, and Sirius Black), while Voldemort did not. It is love that gives the Jewish people continuity as well. It was the memory of a mother lovingly saying Shema with a child at night that helped children return to their roots following the Holocaust, and it will continue to help us now. As parents, teachers, and/or mentors, we can help the next generation stay connected through the power of our love for them and the values we model.
Having good middos (character) will always pay off.
Having good middos (character) will always pay off.
During the Triwizard Tournement, Harry risks losing the tournament in order to rescue Fleur's little sister. Even though he returned later than the other contestants, he is awarded second place because of the dedication he demonstrated. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Ron is only able to destroy the horcrux when he overcomes the overpowering feelings of jealousy he has. There are countless other examples as well. We, too, must work on perfecting our middos through learning mussar and working on ourselves to become better people. It may be hard, but it will pay off in the end.
The truth is not always obvious or popular but that doesn't make it less true.
The truth is not always obvious or popular but that doesn't make it less true.
In the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, only Dumbledore and his close friends believe Harry's claim that Voldemort has returned. Of course, this does not make it any less true. Nevertheless, due to the inconvenience and serious implications that accepting the truth would impose on the magical world, many (even those in the Ministry of Magic) choose to deny it and paint Harry as a liar. Similarly, we find ourselves in a world of full of moral subjectivity and complete disregard for truth (when it is inconvenient). Cynicism is confused with intelligence and religious thinkers are viewed as unintelligent or naive. This does not change the nature of truth at all. Yes, we need to use our G-d given intellect to think deeply about what we believe in and why, but we also need to realize that religious truths cannot be observed and measured using scientific methodology. On one hand, we need to practice humility, but we also need to realize that just because something is not widely-accepted or popular, does not change that it is true. And in the end the truth will be revealed.
Evil can not last and goodness will overcome.
Evil can not last and goodness will overcome.
As Voldemort grows in power, sophistication, and followers, it sometimes seems like Harry and his friends have no chance. Nevertheless, despite painful casualties, they overcome the dark forces that they confront. We also find ourselves in dark times, surrounded by evil and personal challenges. The growth of antisemitism and terrorism that we witness all around is staggering. However, when we reflect on the fact that the Jews have survived over 3000 years of oppression, slavery, and exile and continue to survive, we realize that we will survive this too. There is an unbreakable bond between G-d, the Torah, and the Jewish people and we will always win.
"Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." - Albus Dumbledore
Each positive action that we do adds a little more light to the world. We have the power to overcome - together.
"Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." - Albus Dumbledore
Each positive action that we do adds a little more light to the world. We have the power to overcome - together.