Posted to Op-Ed on
by Avrohom Brashevitzky

Op-Ed: The Real Challenge

Lately there’s been a social media craze that looks so good, so special – on the surface. It’s so encouraging to see so many people who are willing to take the challenge and get themselves drenched in freezing water just to bring awareness to a disease which debilitates fellow human beings. Although they are perhaps not personally affected by this horrible disease, yet they are ready to do this selfless act to help total strangers in need.

George W. Bush, celebrities, politicians, Bill Gates and the average Joe. Suddenly they all share a common purpose.

Suddenly they can all help a fellow human being, through creativity and humor.

Each “challenge” seems to bring more awareness as more people get “nominated,” and more and more sufferers of ALS are being helped.

Or are they?

There’s the famous story the Rebbe relates in the name of the Previous Rebbe about the “confused souls.” In short, it’s about the rich merchant and his Jewish coachman who get stuck in some city after realizing that they will not make home in the short time to Shabbos. As it’s early Friday afternoon, they each settle in to their respective accommodations, the rich man in a fancy hotel and his driver and the horses in a more simple place. Both take advantage of the rare luxury of being free and ready so early before Shabbos. They dress in their finest and head out to Shul. On the way, the merchant encounters a Yid & his old horse n buggy stuck in the mud. Of course, as any Yid would do he offered his help. Knowing nothing about horses and lacking any experience, you can imagine that besides not being much of a help, he ended up coming to Shul full of mud and tattered garments. The coachman came to Shul, and feeling so good invited several beggars back to his hotel to enjoy a “lavish” Shabbos dinner on his tab.

After 120, as their souls stood before the heavenly court, it was found that both had done a great Mitzvah. Each one went beyond his capacity to help a fellow Jew. However, it was determined that their souls must go back down for a second chance to fulfill their Mitzva. You see, the roles were unfortunately mixed up; each one did the other’s Mitzvah, and failed to have a full impact as a result.

Before you conclude that I’m a sad, negative guy who just can’t enjoy a nice gesture, please consider the following: Many years ago when the Rebbe strongly encouraged to establish a fund to purchase buildings and secure and expand the community, in one of the Sichos he made an interesting observation: after much talk and begging, the only ones who jumped to action were the Bochurim in the Yeshivah. They got together and collected money from their meager funds for this great purpose, while the wealthy Balei Batim “said Tehillin” and offered their advice. The Rebbe complained about this confusion of roles, “The Bochurim should be the ones saying Tehillim, and the rich people should do their thing by giving money and making a difference.”

I ask you: do you know how much actual money was raised for ALS research? Last I checked it wasn’t even 16 million. Don’t misunderstand me; that is a lot of money, considering it came from the little guys like me and you. But what purpose does it serve that the big billionaire has a special contraption set up and pours a bucket of freezing water on himself?

If you really want to help the problem, Mr. Gates, take out your checkbook and “spill” some big bucks to fund research for a cure. Instead of people getting themselves needlessly wet, let’s go out each and raise $100. Make a lemonade stand, a garage sale or a bake sale, but do something that actually serves a purpose.

I can’t imagine G-d forbid needing emergency help, calling Hatzalah, only to have a “fully loaded emergency style” vehicle pull up – with all the bells and whistles, strobes flashing lights etc. but no one who can actually administer first aid.

Moreover, what’s next, Colon Cancer? Imagine what people will be pouring over their heads…

Did you see the one with the Israeli soldiers “fighting” Hamas by smearing Humus on their faces? When Saddam Hussain Yimach Shmo was shooting rockets on Israel, did we show solidarity by wearing gas masks or did we say Tehillim and do more Mitzvos?

My point is not to question the sincerity of all the good hearted people who are expressing their support for such a good cause. Rather to have us – Chassidim / Yidden – make a true Cheshbon if we are actually doing it the right way. For a Goy to get all excited and feel good about himself that he accomplished a good deed (and also fed his narcissistic need to be seen on the Internet), Nu. But we are made of substance and we know that everything has to actually accomplish a tangible result.

Perhaps all of us Shluchim who are so eager to support a good friend, shouldn’t we maybe – instead of pouring cold water on our heads – go to a hot Mikva and make some Hachlotos: to learn some Chassidus in his honor, to bring more warmth by getting more Yidden to put on Tefilin, light Shabbos Candles, keep Taharas Hamishpacha etc?

I once heard an interesting Vort: Why is the chicken which looks and smells so ugly, yet it’s Kosher, while the peacock, which is such a big and beautiful bird, is not. The answer is simple: After you see all the big beauty statement the peacock makes, when you get close you realize that there’s actually very little substance, almost no flesh. That’s just not a Jewish thing.

Let’s be serious about how we help our dear brother in need. Let’s not get caught up in Goiyishe “peacockery.” Perhaps those who possess creativity and ability should get together and Make a Mitzva campaign towards helping our fellow Yid. Imagine if Chai Lifeline encouraged its supporters to shave their heads instead of giving money and ACTUAL assistance to those in need. Imagine Friendship circle encouraged us to ride in a wheelchair for a day to show our solidarity, instead of doing what they so beautifully do: actually making a difference!

“I nominate you to take the Jewish challenge and do an actual Mitzvah!”

P.S. Before you decide that “this guy’s got no heart” or “who cares; Yitzi Hurwitz’s family greatly benefited from this campaign, why can’t he Fargin…”.  Please consider that I’m a personal childhood friend of Yitzie and would do anything to help him. The point of my writing is to encourage ourselves and likewise minded Yidden, as we belong to an Am Chacham V’Navon, to not get Farshlepped after Goyishe Meshugassen, rather focus our strengths and attention on doing what really counts and makes sense according to Torah and Chassidus. Could you imagine Rabbi Heller or Reb Mendel Futerfas or any respectable Chassidisher Yid – doing this Meshugas? Or, do you rather see them going out there to put on Tefillin with another Yid, collecting money for Tzedakah? Bottom line, do something constructive! I just can’t wrap my mind around the following image: several veteran Shluchim on the dais at the banquet of the Kinus pouring ice water over their heads – to make a statement of support for a fellow Shliach.

Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky is the director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Doral, FL.

Related Articles

34 Comments

  • What the Rebbe said

    Are u joking they have already raised 53 million. Business schools will be studying this phenomena for years to come. This is a game hanger for social media fundraising

  • great point!

    I was actually wondering if this Isn’t an issue of “u’v’chuko’seihem Lo Seileichu”. Just because some Goy decided that THIS is the way to express concern for another doesn’t make it the right thing to do for a Jew.

  • You're correct

    The only problem is that many of the “official” shluchim have lost sight of the Rebbe’s vision. They are more focused on obtaining honor and protecting territory than helping each and every Jew. It’s become more and more of a numbers game.

  • Hello

    “I nominate you to take the Jewish challenge and do an actual Mitzvah!”

    What do you mean actual as if we don’t already?
    Most of us do things that are constructive.

  • The Author is The voice of Chassidishe sanity

    Zeyer gut gezogt. Finally! Thank you. Hope you are not bashed for this.
    One last question that can be added: would you do this in front of the Rebbe at a farbrengen, on the dollars line, outside 770 or Yechidus? This is the question we should ask ourselves at every turn in our lives/Shlichus.
    Moshiach Now

  • CHT

    It is more than 50 mil. It is fundraiser that worked, as opposed to what is proposed here – just theories. Check chabad.org, it has article that contradicts these opinions entirely.

  • Anonymous

    Wonderful article but I can’t say I agree with the statement about colon cancer.I work in health care and it’s a horriblr,horrible illness.

  • great points

    thanks for teaching us our way, it is so easy to loose sight in our fast paced and highly stimulating world.

  • facts

    i think you should get your facts this is from
    USA TODAY
    The ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” social phenomenon is still going strong, filling news feeds and helping to raise nearly $42 million since July 29.

    As of Thursday, the ALS Association raised $41.8 million dollars compared with $2.1 million during the same period last year. The fundraising total has increased more than $25 million this week. The association has nearly 740,000 new donors.

  • THINK AGAIN

    Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky:
    Your view makes sense. But think about it this way.
    How many times have you seen posters talking about the latest Mitzva Campaign, the newest challenge?
    More that a lot.
    But another question- how many times have you actually MADE a Hachlata for it? And if you did, did you actually FULFILL it?
    I don’t think so.
    But how many people have done the ice bucket challenge? You said so yourself- “George W. Bush, celebrities, politicians, Bill Gates and the average Joe.”
    I believe that we should be doing both. DO the ice bucket challenge. Spread awareness of the terrible ALS disease. But don’t stop there. DONATE to the cause. And if you MAKE a Hachlata on the side, that’s amazing!

    Oh, and by the way, they’ve actually reached $70.2 million.

  • Awareness

    This was not just about raising funds but also awareness. Before this challenge most of the world didn’t know what als was. They do now

  • I can't speak for the writer

    But it seems that at the time he wrote this piece they were only at 16mil and that was after Bill Gates had done his great Shtick. I think you miss his point entirely. What he’s saying (in my opinion) is that the little guys can be Yoitze with pouring water over their heads. As for the Richies – let them give money. And stop making a rightous spectecal out of themself. Society does not gain anything by our leaders and politicians behaving like idiots.

    Besides we are Yidden. We are Chassidim. Is this what we do? Do we follow the trends out there because it serves a good cause?! Have Rabbonim been consulted? Have Mashpiim been asked? Remember that those concerned with animal rights who fight the fur industry make their statement by portraying themself in a most UN Tzinusdike manner. Imagine if that caught fire, would it be ok?

    See this week’s Parsha: V’asisa K’CHOL Asher Yorucha! We must ask KNOWLEDGIBLE Rabbonim who are compitent and are Chachomim that Ro’I’m Es Ha’nolad – see where such things may lead to.

  • The Preacher

    Sometimes ridiculous behavior produces something positive for himself & for others
    Sometimes a Preacher does not produce anything positive for others.

  • ND

    A friendly reminder there are many Jewish who are inflicted with this dreadful disease. As the adage goes if you have nothing nice to say…

  • Chavah

    You should be ashamed of yourself. For one, writing and publishing without fact checking. Bush, Gates and other celeberties have donated well over the $10 request. Secondly, the amount donate is well over DOUBLE what you stated, even at the time this was published. Third, the reason it is ice water is because exposure to cold water can numb your finger tips, which is typically one of the first physical symptoms. Yesx the jolt is short and that is a good thing. In addition to the money, people are talking about a serious illness and people are learning how it harms millions of people, eventually ending their lives. A small sign that went viral is a simple show of support, an easy way for almost anyone to show strangers that they care. “Well, its not good enough!” Is a horrible excuse to bash a charity event that is actually popular. Is not a great sign that donating to charity is fashionable? Its the “in thing” to give to a charity and you make that look bad. The way people act over the als icebucket challenge is how we all should act over every good act we do.

  • You are missing the point

    For those bashing the op-ed: you seem to have missed the fact that this article was not created to bash the whole ice bucket challenge rather to bring to light that the “iyker” was being pushed to the side. Ice over your head just because it’s the latest thing on everyone’s news feed isn’t accomplishing very much – but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Just as long as you are ALSo, or rather MAINLY accomplishing the real goal: by doing mitzvah in rabbi horowitz’a honor you can effect actual benift… Needless to say donating to the cause is also benificial…

  • hype

    Yes lots of money is raised. Very cool and hip. My guess is 90% of people still don’t know about ALS or care. This was just lots of fun. Will it change fundraising? Yes. Is this the most critical need? No. Would these same people do it all over again for the next named cause?

  • not correct

    Im sorry R. Brashevitsky. I think your outlook is completely wrong.

    The Challenge has raised many more millions than you have suggested.
    The level of awareness has multiplied countless times.

    Many many many people have given money AND done the challenged in order to keep the challenge going.

    I have seen many videos where people have taken on an additional mitzva – put on tefillin etc together with their challenge.

    The simple act of giving Tzedaka IS an ‘actual’ Mitzvah…

    Instead of putting down the challenge which is the most fantastic thing I have ever seen on Social Media – it’s actually serving a real purpose and making a REAL difference –

    You could have just written an article that reminds us to do Mitzvos too – a suggestion without the negativity would have had a much greater impact.

  • Nobody

    The ice bucket phenom is about AWARENESS. AFTER awareness can come donations. Go write a positive op-ed and dont try to critique everything.

  • Shliach

    The op ed was to put us, as the Rebbe’s Chassidim, back on track. All the nitty gritty misses the point. And..oftentimes Chabad.org etc. is waaay of track, so don’t use them as proof.

  • Anonymous

    I find it an incredible hashgocha protis that every one is davening so hard for Yitzi hurwitz and punkt right now is when this massive awareness and huge funding is coming in.Not for another disease,rachmona litzlan, but for als,specifically. His tracht gut attitude has been poiretz geder,and Hashem should help that there should taka be a cure discovered immediately.

  • Correction

    The gates family have a fund called bill and Melinda gates and they sponsor money thru the fund to many causes, google it

  • Levy

    I say lighten up. What about all the Meshugas on the Telethons?
    Let’s hope there are honest people at ALS that will use the money appropriately

  • you r missing the point:

    Chazal tell us: “Yesh Chochmah Bagoyim Taamin, Torah Bagoyim AL TAAMIN”. No one is saying that its not a smart ploy. It may make sense for The Goy who needs to “feel good” about himself AND Himself helping others (see end of 1st Perek of Tanya). This is good for a Goy. NOT for a Yid.
    A Yid follows Torah & Does Maaseh B’poiel

  • go help the real way

    DOING THE ICE/WATER does not help the family. You want to help them. Then go help them. watch the younger kids. Help the little one with homework. send cleaning help over and you should pay for it. not them.Send a few dollars. give gift cards to stores. send food ect… try to make it a litter easier for them. pouring water on your self is not going to help no one.

  • YMSP

    Well said. Know the author and everyone who knows him knows that he is a very smart and compassionate man. This shows it.

  • jason

    The author should be aware that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is one of the worlds biggest endowments with Bill Gates donating $28 Billion. Thats with a B for billion.