At the Central “Golden Rose” Synagogue, another class of the “Avot uBanim” (“Fathers and Sons”) program of the Jewish Community of Dnipro took place, within which fathers together with their sons study the sacred Jewish texts, strengthening the connection between generations and the tradition of Jewish family education. This time, the participants turned to a discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe dedicated to how the Almighty’s help combines with a person’s personal efforts.
In the Rebbe’s discourse, the difference between two images of Divine help is explained. The angel who goes “before you” symbolizes the situation in which the Almighty prepares in advance everything necessary for a person. However, in everyday life, help from Above comes “together with you” – the Almighty directs a person, opens opportunities before them, and helps them overcome difficulties, but does not free them from the necessity to act independently.
The main conclusion of this discourse is that faith in the Almighty’s help should not become a justification for inaction. Studying Torah, fulfilling mitzvos, and carrying out our mission as emissaries of the Almighty, we must rely on His support, but at the same time invest our own efforts. The Almighty will certainly help a person fulfill their purpose, but each person must do their own part of the work themselves.
After the conclusion of the class, a traditional raffle took place, during which wonderful prizes were drawn among the participants. Such a conclusion to the gathering became a pleasant addition to the shared study of Torah and yet another occasion for joy for the young participants of the program.
“We invite all fathers to join the ‘Avot uBanim’ program and to come to the classes together with their sons, for the shared study of Torah is not only the transmission of knowledge but also education by one’s own example,” noted Rabbi David Vaskovsky, director of the program. “When children see that their fathers themselves devote time to the study of Torah, they assimilate an extraordinarily important lesson of responsibility for one’s own deeds and for fulfilling one’s mission. This is precisely how we raise the new generation of Jews, capable not only of relying on the Almighty’s help but also of acting actively for the sake of fulfilling His will, continuing the traditions of the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
