Yes, Blinky; every once in a while, the humanity in me bubbles to the surface 😐
Commonsense – You are right; the saying is, “there are no athiests in foxholes”. When trapped, and all else seemed bleak, I’m sure there was a whole lot of praying and deal making by both miners and the families up on the ground.
The difference is, when we overcome a huge challenge we (hopefully!) keep the momentum going and really do become (try) to be better people.
Many years ago, I heard a speech in response to a community tragedy that got me to stop talking with my tefillin on.
So yes, it was a very moving moment; the speaker, Rabbi Sussner of BP, was great. But did it make a lasting impact? Did it change the way people act?
I can’t speak for the other people in the room, but I’m willing to say, if not that time, then surely the next speech (or the one after that) reached them.
So we (klal yisroel) change for the better, when we survive a challenge. Do the miners?
Lets wait and see….