Rabbi Moss: Is the World Getting Better or Worse?

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Question of the Week:

How can we say that Moshiach is ready to come when the world is such a bad place? There has never been so much crime and war and violence and evil as we see today. Do we really believe that we are ready for messianic times?

Answer:

You must be reading the news too much. That's why you don't know what's going on in the world.

In every key factor, the world is better today than it has ever been, and it's just getting better. We are healthier, safer, freer, smarter and richer than our forebears. And we don't even know it.

Some examples:

- In 1950, 75% of the world population was living in extreme poverty. Today it is down to 10%. Food is more accessible and abundant today than ever before.

- International conflict is at an all time low. Historically, the chances of dying in battle or as a result of war were extremely high. Today they hover at around 0.04%.

- Two hundred years ago, 40% of babies died before the age of five. Today that figure is a tiny fraction. Even in Africa that rate has halved in the last 30 years.

- Until very recently, literacy skills were reserved for the elite few. (Jews were the exception). Today 8 out of 10 people worldwide are literate.

- Homicide and violent crime rates are lower today than ever in history, including in the USA.

- Life expectancy has doubled since the 19th century, and the world population has multiplied sevenfold.

- Only one hundred years ago, almost all of the world lived under autocratic rule. Today the majority of the world's population live in free societies. And 80% of those who don't are in one country - China.

- For most of history, people had to rely on dial-up internet connections. Slow!

The crazy thing is, With all this good going on, people in free countries don't think the world is improving. In Australia only 3% of people believe the world is getting better, and only 6% in the USA. Interestingly 41% of Chinese do believe the world is a better place today than in the past. Perhaps there are some benefits to a government controlled media spouting positive propaganda...

This all tells us that we who benefit the most from these amazing times are enjoying it the least. While we are blessed with prosperity, health and opportunities that our ancestors could have only dreamed of, there is something they did have that we seem to be missing. And that is faith. Faith in a kind Creator who has a purpose for His creation. Faith in the human ability to solve problems, discover cures and invent solutions. And faith in the power of good to triumph over evil, that righteousness wins in the end and goodness will prevail. Faith that after the darkness always comes the dawn.

This is not to pretend that there is no evil in the world. There are certainly some formidable foes we need to contend with. But look beyond the news, and see how far we have come. Just open your eyes and you can see that we are living in good times. We need the wisdom to utilise this golden age, when rather than struggling to survive, we finally have the luxury to focus on our spiritual purpose. We are ever so close to that messianic world, not just not as bad as it once was, but good like it has never been before.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

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Friday, 14 February| 20 Shevat 5780

Candle Lighting.......... 7:32pm (not before 6:30pm)

Shabbos Service ........ 6:30-7:20pm

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Kiddush sponsored by Friends of Nefesh

Shabbos Day, 15 February 2020 | 21 Shevat 5780

Morning Meditation....................... 9:00am

Shabbos Service......................... 10:00am-12:20pm

STORY TIME with Rabbi Sufrin.....11:45am

Kiddush sponsored by Friends of Nefesh

Call Up in honour of the Wedding of

Jason Alman and Jenni Mandel - Mazel Tov!.....4:30pm

Shabbos Shiur with Nechama Dina............. 5:00pm

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin............................. 6:25pm

Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishis ............7:25pm

Gematria and Story with Rev Amzalak........ 8:00pm

Shiur with Rabbi Moss.............................. 8:15pm

Shabbos ends.......................................... 8:28pm

Followed by Havdalah

WEEKDAY SERVICES

Sunday .................................................. 8:00am

Mon - Fri................................................. 7:00am

Latest Shema this week............................ 9:46am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Michelle Kaplan...... 26 Shevat/ Friday 21 February

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Janet & David Kessler................ 20 Shevat/ 15 Feb

Robert & Natalie Dabscheck........ 23 Shevat/ 18 Feb

Kelly & Jodie Moses................... 23 Shevat/ 18 Feb

Michael & Linda Lenn................. 23 Shevat/ 18 Feb

Jackie & Les Regos..................... 25 Shevat/ 20 Feb

LONG LIFE

Ashley Bierman, Sally Bierman, Jodie Moses and Josh Susskind for their late mother Susan Ann Susskind, Ruth bat Sarah 22 Shevat/ Monday 17 February

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