Unfortunately, we have been witness in the last few weeks to several transportation disasters. First it was the Aisana flight that crashed-landed at San Francisco airport, followed by the Southwest rough landing at La Guardia. This week we heard the tragic news of a train crash in Spain with about 80 casualties.
In all these instances, government officials, transportation experts, journalists and the public will investigate the cause.
One thing is certain: somehow, something went wrong in each case. It may have been low or high speed, malfunctioning gear, human error or the weather. But something caused things to go off track.
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In this week’s parsha Eikev we learn about the mitzvah to pray to G-d. Actually, the Torah merely states, “To love G-d your G-d and to serve Him with all your heart.” The Talmud explains that this is prayer.
Isn’t it ironic that what the Torah considers a ‘service of the heart’ is essentially a ritual many perceive as a matter of rote? We recite the same liturgy year in, year out, week in, week out and day in, day out. How can this be a service of the heart?
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Sadly, recent events display that minor – even unintentional – errors can produce tremendous destruction and loss of life.
Although we are uncertain as to the exact cause, we already have considerable food for thought:
If it were human-caused we are gravely concerned about how the operators conducted themselves. A slight maneuver one way or another can be the difference between life and death.
Perhaps, more thought – err I mean to say heart – would have avoided disaster.
And, if these were technically generated accidents, it reminds us that each “i” must be dotted properly and each “t” must be crossed accurately. Again, more thoughtful – that is heartfelt – attention to the details can literally save lives.
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Prayer may be about the “i”s and “t”s. But it sure better be with lots of heart.