This video “YOU ARE PART OF THE STORY” is very moving. It shows Jewish elders sharing their life history and advice to a younger generation which you may find very interesting. One of the elders mentions how the act of a younger Jew in volunteering to help others reflects the spirit of Tikkun Olam which is the Jewish notion of repairing the world.
A lot of people are dismissive of past events, especially when it highlights social ills or just things that have impacted people in a negative way that could be made better. But the past is there to learn from and you cannot effectively make the world better without acknowledging when, why, and how things have gone wrong and what actions would make them right.
When we sweep the past under the rug instead of teaching the whole story to future generations, we are actually going against God’s will mentioned in the Torah. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deut 4:7-9
It is easy to talk about the great things in our past that does not hurt or seem bad but pride often limits our willingness to be careful in how we well we remember the important yet painful lessons that can prevent us from repeating mistakes in other contexts. We tend to forget the low parts of stories and seemingly unimportant parts of life that don’t look great at all is important also. As you watch the video remember your story matters and it can make a difference if you let it.
