Nowadays we are all on edge because of this virus affecting all parts of the world. Nevertheless, what is happening is that all of us are also becoming more grateful for every blessing the Almighty bestows upon us. We are beginning to realize what is priority in life and what is nonsense. No longer does it matter if we buy a new pair of shoes or have a fancier car or a bigger house. All of that is materialism and right now nothing matters except health and safety. This is a war. But it is a war with an invisible enemy.
In Biblical times, when there was a plague, Moshe Rabbenu instructed his brother Aharon to take the incense pan and offer the ketoret offering and that stopped the plague. Nowadays, as we no longer have the Beit Hamikdash , we no longer have the incense offering, but we read it daily in our morning prayers. Everyone should take care to read the ketoret offering each day.
There is a pasuk in the book of Daniel “At that time, the great prince Michael, who stands beside the sons of your people, will appear. It will be a time of trouble, the like of which has never been since the Jewish nation came into being. At that time, your people will be rescued, all who are found inscribed in the book” (meaning in the Torah).
Now is a proper time for every Jew to purchase a letter in the sefer Torah for protection. That can be done online.
We also must strengthen our trust in Hashem because that is ultimately what brings health and eradicates plagues. The holy Ari Hakodesh said that someone with strong trust in G-d Almighty does not have to fear a plague. What everyone is realizing today is that we have nobody to rely on other than the Almighty Himself. Just like the Almighty Himself redeemed us from Egypt, not through an angel or a messenger, so too now may the Almighty Himself heal every Jew and redeem us from exile.
It helps to constantly repeat to ourselves “Eyn od milvado”: there is nothing but Hashem. He is the only True Existence. And He is the essence of good, as we learn in Tanya. When we remind ourselves that Hashem is good, and when we praise and thank Hashem for being good, we bring out in Him that attribute.
Many people are suffering from being alone and feeling depressed and sad. As difficult as it is, because let’s face it, we are social beings, we nevertheless must keep in mind that we are never really alone. The Almighty is with each and every one of us all the time. Let’s use these moments to connect more with Hashem and to serve Him with joy, even from our isolation at home. Let us cultivate the feeling of constantly being connected Above.
We are now in the month of Nissan, the month of redemption and miracles. And may we all merit to be redeemed from exile this Pesach and to have the coming of Moshiach. This is what we all long for and pray for and may our prayers be answered for the good.