Diamond is the hardest of gems. It can leave its mark on all the others, but nothing can mar its surface. It can survive great heat and pressure while exhibiting a beauty that can last an eternity. Despite this, a simple internal fracture, a single flaw, can cause its destruction; a sharp blow in the right place can break this hardest of substances apart.In our life as a People over thousands of years, given the strength of diamond by God, how many times have we allowed hatred among the Jewish People to cause internal fractures that have allowed others to shatter us easily? Tisha B’av and its lessons are just a few days behind us, yet look at how we behave today. In our own lives, how many times have we allowed ethical and spiritual flaws to form internal fractures that have caused us to shatter ourselves, and have permitted others to shatter us? But, unlike the diamond, we can repair ourselves – personally and as a People. God has given us the power of t’shuvah, t’fillah and tzedakah. God has given us the mind, heart and strength – and the wisdom of Torah and our ancient and modern sages – to use as tools for self-repair. The power is not in heaven. It is already within us. We can use it. Elul is the time to seek out our flaws, to heal ourselves as people and as a People.
Stuart M. Matlins is the editor in chief and publisher of Jewish Lights Publishing. www.jewishlights.com
