Tik(k)un Olam, or: How society should stop acting as if problems in society are not theirs

Tik(k)un Olam is hebrew, literally it means "Healing of the world" and is one of the big themes in Judaism. G*d gave us free will, to learn much about the world and Tora and to do as much (good) as possible. The world is not a perfect place, so it's up to us to do better. Or at least, this is how I, and many other (more liberal) Jews see it. More and more Jews try to make the World a better place, Tzadeka (The root of this word means righteousness or justice in english) is a huge deal in judaism (and Tikun Olam), it is about giving to charity but also helping others in other forms. Growing up jewish, I believed that giving and helping are something we all should and will do. And while I did meet some people, some who were jewish and some who were not, I learned that most of society doesn't care. About anything. At. All. And that is frustrating. So here are some of my thoughts about this: While sitting around and waiting for stuff to get better sounds like an easy thing to do, it's neither helpfull nor going to change anything. It's not even comfortable! Many people feel they weight of society on a daily basis and still don't want to act on anything, hoping someone else will do it for them. I met women who were scared about sexism and all the issues that come with it, but did not want to help any feminist cause. I met Jews who cried about antisemitism but were to scared to speak up. I met so many people who faced issues on a daily basis, who thought someone else would change the world for them. But how should that even work? Noone knows what you need, but you. It is you, who has to stand up for yourself and your friends. It is you who has to help, when you see someone in need. It is you who needs to ask for help, so we, as a society, can help you. This is the good part: You will never have to do any of the hard steps alone, if you ask or offer help. It sometimes feels like we get crushed by loneliness and that we would have to suffer all by ourselves, but if you look and I mean actually look, you will see: There are so many people who are simmilar to you. But if you never speak up, how should they ever be able to find you? When I started talking about antisemitism I felt absurdly scared. I already faced so much antisemitism until this point, I almost lost my left eyesight for example, but I knew that in the worst case, I want to go down fighting. My family did not suffer through the holocaust and lost friends and family members, just so I can sit around scared. My generational trauma can be usefull. It can be part of my fuel to make the world a better place. So: What can you do? Go to a demonstration. Offer some help in a community. Be a voice online or offline. Or just be a good human being, by listeing to people and their stories. The world is a scary place with many issues, but it won't get better if we don't do anything against it. Be kind. Get some food for a homeless person or stray animals. Aks you friends how they are doing. Hold the door open for someone or just be kind, for no reason at all. But most importantly: Don't ever let you shine be dimmed by hatred and fear, your light is importat, as to quote Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: "A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness."

Photo via Burning Candle Free Stock Photo - Public Domain Pictures