Can you see me?
Oscar Wilde once said “Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life”.
The recent spate of bad weather that has devastated parts of the UK is a tragic reflection of the Torah narrative that is read this Shabbat. For many in the UK, the past weeks have been difficult. Young and old have been trapped indoors, scared to leave or in some cases unable to leave. Homes have been destroyed, presents ruined and thousands living without power. The flood waters have ruined lives and the winter holiday period. People have felt isolated and alone, not knowing who to turn to for help or finding others that care.
This week we will read the concluding plagues that struck ancient Egypt. The plague of darkness had the Egyptians rooted to their homes, unable to leave and scared to leave. The verse paints a vivid image: “Moshe held out his arm toward the sky and thick darkness descended upon all the land of Egypt for three days. People could not see one another, and for three days no one could get up from where he was.” Assuming that each successive plague was more intense than the ones preceding it, how was this plague more severe then water turning to blood, or wild animals roaming the streets?
I think the answer lies in the feeling we experience when we are forced through illness or circumstance to take time out of our normal routine. When life continues all around and we are not part of it, it makes us question how relevant and important we are. If I am not present and others cope, how needed am I? How essential is my contribution to life. Detachment from others is a painful experience. The heart-warming scenes of people reaching out to others and offering help remind us that life works best when we see each other, living in darkness is a plague whether it comes from God or our own lack of caring.
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