From the Rabbi

Finding The Words

This is a moment when finding the words is hard. Which word first, which heart chamber is pumping what emotion, and in what mode. 

This is a moment both unprecedented and in continuity with the epic, existential, ongoing battle in the state of Israel that to some is and will always be Palestine. (I know, today, Tuesday is Day 333, because I receive daily news updates, and the number of days since October 7th is always in the header). 

So rather than struggle to achieve clarity in what is a muddle of fatigue, an offering of words from colleagues, along with some of my own:

“Today is a day to activate your empathy.

If you are rightfully devastated by the murders of the 6 Israeli hostages, open your heart to the devastation that has befallen Gaza since October.

If you are rightfully devastated by the devastation that has befallen Gaza since October, open your heart to the pain of the hostages and their loved ones.”
[Rabbi Emily Cohen]

Inspired by Rabbi Cohen: Two peoples on one land are suffering. Two peoples on one land are being led in this moment by tyrants who would rather pursue endless war than risk losing power.

Neither shows any signs other than a hardening of the heart. The chambers of retribution, revenge, the desire to only stain the land with more blood, the others’ blood. As if blood was not life itself.

Gazan’s lives are sacred. Hostages’ lives are sacred. Israeli lives are sacred. No Gazan, no Israeli, no child, no adult, deserves misery, suffering, displacement, hunger, polio, anguish.

Two peoples on one land deserve dignity, deserve justice, deserve integrity of body and spirit, deserve a future.

The alternative is a permanent state of terror, a celebration of death over life, of killing over healing, of indifference over empathy, of hate overall.
 

“Honor the six and the hundred and one and the twelve hundred and the forty thousand.” [Rabbi Tamara Cohen]

Honour Hersh who died in a tunnel. Honour Hind who died on the road in an ambulance. Honour Vivian who died in her home. Honour the newborn twins who died with their mother Jumana in an airstrike as their father Mohammed was on the way to register their birth.

“Rashi has a brief but piercing comment on Psalm 34:15, “Depart from evil, and do good.” Rashi writes, “Depart from evil – in your place,” and “Do good – elsewhere.” What might he mean? If evil exists “in one’s place,” there is no possibility of doing good “elsewhere.” And if there is no possibility of doing good “elsewhere” as the Psalmist continues, “seeking peace” is impossible. And if “seeking peace” is impossible, there is no future. For any of us.” [Rabbi Shaul Magid]

You know this Psalm, some of you. We have sung it on Shabbats, we will likely sing it during the holy days ahead. It begins mi ha-ish … and end with the phrase “seek peace and pursue it” – bakesh shalom verodfehu. 

We don’t sing the verses that follow. But I feel as though when we sing the passages we know, in my heart I will be adding: the eye of YHVH are on the righteous, God’s ears attentive to their cry [35:16].

May we be among the righteous whose cries are heard. Feel the pumping of the blood from the chamber of righteousness in your hearts, and that flows through the hearts of those who seek peace, justice and dignity for all on that land where so much blood has been spilled, and for so long. Od yavo shalom, aleynu ve'al kol ha-olam, salaam. [Mosh Ben -Ari and Sheva]

Rabbi Liz