First there was the devastating tidal wave in Papua-New Guinea, responsible for the deaths of thousands. Then came the floods in New South Wales' country regions, isolating cities and farming communities. And finally, and closer to home, the giardia and cryptosporidium outbreak which lead to a virtual poisoning of Sydney's drinking water supply. This year marks 300 years since the birth of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement. In this spirit, let us take a closer look and see what message we can discover from the events of these past weeks.
Water is the foundation of biological existence.
Without it life simply cannot exist. And yet, in given circumstances, water can reek untold havoc and destruction. As with water, it appears that Torah too, when incorrectly applied, can have a profoundly negative effect. This is especially true when Torah is inappropriately used as a yardstick with which to measure the moral or religious lapses of other individuals. More so still, when Torah is used to criticize others in a hostile fashion.