Path to Hashem, Joy, and Emuna

Editor’s Note: NYC Mayor Eric Adams visited Israel Aug 21-24, 2023, to meet with local and national leaders, learn about Israeli technology, and discuss combined efforts to combat antisemitism.  

Whether a person is an executive or a simple policeman, he can rise to great heights by pursuing his task on earth with joy and simplicity. New York Mayor Eric Adams did not have an easy childhood – he suffered from a learning disability, was incarcerated for involvement in domestic violence, and moved from household to household. Despite his background, he was recently elected to the office of New York City, one of the major cities in the world.   
 

Elijah the Prophet teaches that Devorah’s greatness as Prophetess and Judge of Israel resulted neither from intellect nor ability. She used to prepare thick wicks for the Holy Tabernacle. Their strong illumination enabled her husband and other Torah scholars to learn at night without straining their eyes. The Creator said to Devorah: “Devorah, you have made thick wicks to enhance My light, so I too shall enhance your light.”  

The Talmud (Tractate Taanit) tells us about two simple people – a man who lent his hoe for the purpose of burying the dead, and a woman who kept her oven hot so that her neighbors could bake in her oven.  The acts of these simple people defended their city and repelled harsh judgments. 

We learn from these simple people that it doesn’t matter who a person is or what his station in life is. If his deeds are pure, innocent, and righteous, he too has the power to protect an entire city. Were the deeds of the man with the hoe or the woman with the oven so extraordinary? Not really. Yet, the purity of intent and the wholeheartedness with which they did them were remarkable. We learn from this that our level on the social ladder means nothing, but living upright lives with joy and simple faith in the Creator (emuna), while doing whatever we can for our fellow man, means everything. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams declared this year, at an Interfaith Breakfast: “Let me be the living example that the Creator has put in front of us to understand that just because you’re dyslexic, arrested, rejected — you still could be elected and be the mayor of the City of New York. That’s only the Creator. That’s not man. That’s only the Creator”. 

From this moment on, stop looking at others. Stop comparing yourself with your peers. Don’t be envious of a single person on earth. The Creator gave you gifts that no one else has. Pursue your path in life with simple emuna (faith). Cling to the Creator, do your work with joy, whether you’re a welder, bricklayer, housewife, teacher, salesman or whatever, college graduate or not.  

If you follow the example of a simple person, you’ll see wonderful fruits of your labor. Look at the main character of Rebbe Nachman’s Tale of the Clever One and the Simple One, elaborated in Rabbi Shalom Arush’s bestseller The Garden of Wisdom, a practical guide to happiness in life. The hero of this tale, the Simple One, was happy – you can be too.  

New York Mayor Eric Adams, a person who experienced great hardship, is happy – you can be too. Just remember that the Creator is running your life and doing everything for your ultimate benefit. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams, our respected friend and brother, welcome to Israel! 

Editor’s Note: 

Nissim Black had a similar conversation with Mr. Adams when he was a NYC Mayoral Candidate (June, 2021). Each person’s life journey (Nissim Black’s path from Islam to Christianity to Judaism and Eric Adams’ path from childhood poverty to jail to NYC Police Dept to NYC Mayor) might pass through dark places. We must remember that darkness doesn’t mean “burial” – it means “planted”. Our dark places can become the very source of our growth and happiness!