Some were typical—fear of heights and fear of something happening to their parents. And some were unique and deeply personal—fear of certain situations and possibilities. The exercise helped us get to know one another more. But it is also helped us understand a core human truth.
We all have fears. And often they do not make sense. But that’s human. Even the bravest people in the world fear some things sometimes.
I told the students a story about the Noble-Prize winning Afghani girl, Malala. If you remember, she refused to give up her studies even when the Taliban pointed a gun at her head.
She was ultimately shot and severely injured, and went through months of intense rehabilitation. Greater bravery for a teenager is hard to imagine.
Yet, in a documentary about Malala, I noticed a revealing scene. She was walking down a hall on her way to a radio interview. A small dog popped out of an office and approached her.
Malala screamed and hid behind a man walking down the hall, and waited there until the dog was put back into the office.
Do we think any less of Malala because she is afraid of dogs? Or do we see her as deeply human?
Each of has the capacity for bravery and fear. Faith helps us see our courage and our fear as part of what makes us whole.
I’m afraid I’m running out of copies of my first book of Jewish wisdom. You can grab one of the few remaining ones here.
Rabbi Evan Moffic
evan@rabbi.me
Congregation Solel
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035, United States
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