{"id":2935380,"date":"2021-07-21T04:54:19","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T04:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/2935380"},"modified":"2026-04-12T05:36:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:36:46","slug":"lesson-from-surfside-the-little-neshama-that-could","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breslev.com\/2935380\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little Neshama That Could"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Remember the story\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The Little Engine That Could<\/span><\/span>? It was published in 1930 as a children\u2019s story to teach them the value of<\/span>\u00a0a can-do attitude\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>persistence<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>\u00a0stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra “I think I can<\/span>…<\/span>\u00a0I think I can<\/span>…<\/span>“,\u00a0<\/span>successfully accomplishes\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>n \u201c<\/span>impossible<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0task.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fast forward to the tragedy of the collapse <\/span>of the 12-story\u00a0<\/span>Champlain Towers<\/span>\u00a0South condominium building in\u00a0<\/span>Surfside<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in North<\/span>\u00a0Miami<\/span>\u00a0Beach<\/span>, Florida<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Because of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the steep assessment fees\u00a0<\/span>needed\u00a0<\/span>for the critical\u00a0<\/span>repairs<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>the problems<\/span>\u00a0could not be fixed in time<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Finally, it happened.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>he consequences that\u00a0 <\/span>were\u00a0 <\/span>predicted\u00a0 <\/span>might\u00a0 <\/span>happen<\/span>\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0<\/span>happened<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>E<\/span>veryone lost their home<\/span>s, many lost their lives, and all that is<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>left\u00a0 <\/span>is\u00a0 millions of pounds of\u00a0<\/span>worthless\u00a0<\/span>rubble.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Enter the Little\u00a0<\/span>Engine<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the original story, two other trains pass the stranded train, but turn a deaf ear to\u00a0<\/span>its\u00a0<\/span>pleas for help. One train is too \u201chighbrow\u201d to help the simple train, and the second is too old and tired. \u201cMaybe some other train can do it, but certainly not me.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Miami Jews reached out to Israeli Jews for help. America lacks no resources \u2013 what could little Israel, like the little train, contribute? Unlike the stranded train that no other train would help, there was a tremendous outpouring of compassion and a desire to hel<\/span>p<\/span>. We sent the best-of-the-best – the National Rescue Unit from the IDF Home Front Command and United Hatzalah\u2019s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The survivors have no<\/span>thing<\/span>\u00a0left but rubble<\/span>, but they \u2013 and we \u2013 have each other.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Their tragedy is a tragedy for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of us.<\/span>\u00a0We can all identify with Surfside.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Left w<\/span>ith<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Just\u00a0<\/span>Rubble<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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H<\/span>ow many<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>neshamot\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(souls)<\/span>\u00a0are crushed by bitterness, anger, and hatred?\u00a0<\/span>How many\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>nesham<\/span>ot<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 carry the rubble of grievances, resentment<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0or past wrongs?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How many\u00a0<\/span><\/span>nesham<\/span>ot<\/span><\/span>\u00a0have\u00a0<\/span>been broken by harmful\u00a0<\/span>relationships<\/span>, whether family, business, school, marriage<\/span>, or community<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How many\u00a0<\/span><\/span>nesham<\/span>ot<\/span><\/span>\u00a0have given up hope of ever<\/span>\u00a0making amends<\/span>\u00a0to those they\u2019ve hurt<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>How many\u00a0<\/span><\/span>nesham<\/span>ot<\/span><\/span>\u00a0refuse to forgive someone because they\u2019re \u201cright\u201d?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Which<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Train<\/span>\u00a0are You?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What on earth can I possibly do for such\u00a0<\/span>people<\/span>? I\u2019m just one person!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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