Message to Our Friends and Family Regarding Hurricane Sandy

We feel together with all of our brethren who are dealing with the storm and its aftermaths. You are not alone; we pray that you are safe and that things return to normal as soon as possible.

Hashem speaks to us in many ways. “Ruach se'a'ra osah devaro”- a fierce wind executes Hashem’s word. At times He speaks to us with a gentle wind; at times with a fierce one. Everyone should contemplate what message he or she can derive from this (not what the message is for the neighbor...). 

Iyov also referred to a “Dvar Se’a’ra”. Chaz”al comment that the word for storm (seara with the samech letter) can be substituted for the word hair (se’ar with the letter sin). Hashem is aware of the details of every hair on a person’s scalp-  He rules over all and knows everything. This is indeed His world, and He rules it as He sees fit.

We pray that calm - and power - is restored and that we merit to many happy occasions in the future.

Together and united we stand.

- Rav Yechezkel Yaakovson