Like Fish in Water

The Talmud relates a very special story: There was a time in Israel, under Roman occupation, that if anyone were caught teaching Torah -
they would surely be put to death.
Yet the great Rabbi Akiva persisted teaching Torah to children. Those around him tried to reason with him, saying:
"If you continue, you'll surely be killed! Those you teach might be killed as well! If you stop though, at least there's a chance of survival!?"
Rabbi Akiva smiled and replied: "Let me explain with a parable.
There was once a fox resting by a river. Peering into the water, the fox saw a group of fish looking very worried. "What's the problem?" asked the fox. The fish answered: "There are fishermen waiting to catch us by the edge of the river!" "OK," said the fox after some thought, "I have a plan. Jump on my back and I'll secretly take you to the other end of the river, and drop you back in past the fisherman." The fish laughed at him and said: "I thought you foxes were sly?! If we leave the water, we'll perish for sure! We can't survive without water! If we stay in the water, at least we have a chance at survival..."

Torah, explained Rabbi Akiva, is the water of the Jewish people. It's our spiritual life force; strength for survival as Jews during a dark exile.

As we all know too well, there are many distractions and hardships for the Jew of 2011.
But this time it's unique. Instead of the usual physical hardships, like the threat of death for being a Jew, today there is a different challenge.
A spiritual, existential one.
The "fishermen" today are much more inviting and open armed.
We Jews are accepted into all areas of life in the modern world. And of course we excel at it!
But as Rabbi Akiva taught us, at the same time - we have to remain in our water.
To live as Jews and maintain our Jewish identity. To learn Torah and study our heritage.
Today it is easy to forget we are "fish" who depend on "water." Going out onto land looks like fun!
It's interesting that when fish are out of water, they do look like they're having fun! Not lying lifeless, dying, but flopping and dancing around!
But in truth they are dying.
Our soul, all souls, need spiritual nourishment. And that nourishment for a Jew is found in Torah, Mitzvot, prayer - spiritual growth.

Let us get involved in the world and succeed, influencing it in the proper direction.
But let us always stick to what's kept us existing as a strong Jewish people throughout history: the Torah.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel