Tips for Dealing with Fear

Question

Dear Rabbi,
I must admit that recent events in Israel and the world frighten me. What does Judaism teach about dealing with fear like mine?
Thanks!

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    There are two reasons to not be afraid. My aunt from Czechoslovakia, who survived Auschwitz, used to tell me: “And to be afraid, it helps?” Also, a verse in Psalms teaches ow we should deal with fear and terror: “He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast in trusting God.” (112:7) Fearlessness and trust in God go hand-in-hand. Why is this so?

    A person who trusts in God recognizes that events of the world are Divinely ordained. “Everything is in the hand of Heaven except for the fear (awe) of Heaven” our Sages teach. This person is therefore confident that even something which appears to be bad should not really trouble him. When a person chooses to trust in God there is no place for fear and anxiety, since everything is from God and nothing can be truly bad.

    Ideally, a person who sees a world of suffering should nevertheless remain righteous and steadfast, with his heart attuned to God. If he does so he will understand that even his problems are not truly “problems.” Difficult events that “life throws at him” are his portion from Above and he will have the strength and wisdom to face life’s challenges with a positive attitude. But for a person who is discontent with the world, feelings of fear, worry and depression surround him in life. One cannot be at peace and feel content and positive without learning to flow with life and accept the conditions of the events of the real world.

    So, Judaism teaches there is no reason to fear: “He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast in trusting God.” A lack of fear depends on our choosing to trust that whatever occurs is truly and ultimately for the good.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team