Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
What are we supposed to do amidst all this chaos? When a residential building collapses in Miami with many of our Diaspora brethren inside and we are praying for them; when the coronavirus may be returning, heaven forbid; when the government is unstable and there is constant political turmoil and internal division; when the period "between the straits" (between the 17th or Tammuz and Tisha B'Av) begins with the fast on Sunday and brings with it, in any case, a sense of sadness and loss.
In the Haftarah we will read on Shabbat, the prophet Micah assigns us a lifetime mission. He reminds us that it does not matter what is happening around us, how many trials and challenges we face, or what state the world is in. There is always something that can be done. The prophet turns to each of us individually, in the singular tense, and asks: You want to know what is good? What is required from you? "Only to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) A short sentence that gives direction to our lives: do justice, love kindness, and act with humility.
Shabbat shalom and may we hear only good news.
