Those who are physically disabled are not only equal to others, but are superior and distinguished.

When Jews meet it is customary to greet each other with blessings of peace -- Sholom Aleichem. This is particularly so when Jews of different countries meet; and especially when Jews who come from our Holy Land -- "the land which ...the eyes of the L-rd your G-d are upon it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year" -- meet with Jews living outside the land. Such meetings involve special joy, emphasizing that, despite living in times of exile -- to the extent that part of the Jewish people are outside Eretz Yisrael -- distance, in its true perspective, does not separate.

Hence, an encounter between Jews emphasizes that despite being "spread out and dispersed between the nations," they are nevertheless "one people," united by the fact that "their religion is different from all other peoples" -- the religion of the one Torah, given to the Jewish people from the one G-d. This unites and makes them unique among the other nations, for they are able to transcend all spatial limits. Moreover, an encounter between Jews is a unifying event, revealing the truth of their erstwhile separateness -- that, despite being dispersed, they are In reality one people.

Just as every Jew has the ability to transcend spatial limits, so he can transcend the limits of time -- by remembering that the Jewish people are eternal, one people throughout the generations and for all generations from the time the souls stood together at Mt. Sinai.

This is the explanation for the endurance of the eternal Jewish people. Although it is the "smallest of all the nations," it is small only in each individual place. In truth however, all Jews -- from the time of Mt. Sinai for all generations -- are responsible one for another, to the extent of becoming one entity, one people. Therefore the Jewish people are really exceedingly more numerous than all other peoples.

This leads us to a further conclusion. The ability to transcend time and space is because the Jewish people make the spiritual dominant over the physical, quality over quantity. Hence, although the smallest of all the nations, Jews did not in any way wish to assimilate among other peoples -- although at times it required literal self-sacrifice. In times of affluence too, when they were invited and pressured to drop the differences between Jews and other peoples by living as the others, they stood steadfast on the fundamental principle of being one, unique people. Despite being small in quantity, they made quality triumph over quantity.

Another point associated with this concept: If a person, for some reason, is physically disabled, he should not be depressed G-d forbid. Indeed, since he is physically deficient through no fault of his own, or because he did something noble such as protecting Jews, especially in the Holy Land, it is an indication that G-d, the Creator of man, has given him or her special spiritual abilities. These enable, him to overcome physical disabilities; and, moreover, he has the ability not only to show that he is equal to others, but that he is spiritually superior, overcoming disabilities. He shows that he can achieve things -- important and good things -- loftier than that of the average person.

This is why I am unhappy about the term "disabled" being applied to people. It indicates inferiority, when one should really be stressing that this person has been distinguished by the Creator, Who has given him special qualities over and above that of the average person. Therefore this person can overcome difficulties the average person cannot.

I therefore suggest to change this term, and call them the "distinguished" among Jews -- whether distinguished because of the war or other reasons. This will also bring to mind the saying of our Sages on the exile in Egypt. On the verse "He (the Jewish people) became there a great, powerful and populous nation," our Sages comment "This teaches us that Israel was distinguished there."

This is not just a change of name, but also a clarification of the true situation. It emphasizes that they have something special and distinguished, and therefore have. the merit to be a personal example -- with joy and self-assurance -- that each Jew’s. soul, notwithstanding his physical, bodily state, is "verily a part of G-d Above." This part of G-d is with each Jew; it will eventually triumph over the body, and the body will live according to the directives of the soul.

This leads to a further fundamental principle in Torah -- "Serve the L-rd with joy." Since a person’s entire life is continual service to G-d, it logically follows that a person has been given the abilities to be joyous all his life. When therefore a person encounters difficulties;. his hidden abilities are aroused to reveal themselves and act; and to also show others that he is in a state of joy and is fulfilling his mission of increasing light, spirituality, and sanctity in the world.

Then all shall see that the L-rd is G-d of all the earth -- King of the world through being G-d of Israel, and that they are His envoys to bring His commandments to all the people of the world.