Spread Light and Stand up for What is Right
After recent attacks on Jews from LA to Miami to Manchester to Marseille, we must not give into fear.
One of the most natural reactions to the horrific violence in Israel which has now spilled over to our city of Los Angeles is fear, followed by anger, and then maybe more fear. And fear is precisely what enemies of the Israel and those who hate Jews want. Because with fear they win a little.
So take a deep breath - and let’s think for a moment about what has just happened.
After the horrific attacks in LA which were headline news around the world, I got messages from Jews in Israel asking if we are safe and OK in Los Angeles.
They just had 3700 rockets aimed at them, spent 10 days in bomb-shelters, and ran for their lives — and they are asking me if we are ok. Hashem the Jewish people are amazing.
Then after all the headlines, the leadership of our city stood up for the Jews. Thank God we live in a world where the Mayor of Los Angeles stood in front of the world and condemned the attacks. Standing up for the Jews is not something the politicians generally do to boost their ratings. A Muslim leader stood up and condemned the violence. The LAPD and the FBI are investigating.
When peasants in Russia were chasing my ancestors down the street, throwing rocks and bottles at the Jewish kids, there were no policemen to protect them. In fact, often it was the policeman's kids throwing the rocks.
You might say, “Rabbi, I can make a list of the things to be upset about. Why are you being positive at this moment?”
I can make a list as well. There is a serious amount of anti-Israel momentum growing around the world. Israel is hated for just existing. And it's repugnant. And anti-Semitic incidents in the US and the UK are way, way up. Jews in cities from Miami to Manchester to Marseille have been harassed and targeted — most recently as a result of what is happening thousands of miles away in Israel and Gaza. American politicians are calling for cutting off aid to Israel. And other politicians think we control the world with a secret cabal and use space lasers. We must call out, stand up, and be strong in the face of all this hatred.
I can also make a list of all the miraculous ways that Israel and the Jewish people are loved around the world. Not only are the police investigating the attacks in LA and other areas, and may they please God be successful, but a non-Jew jumped in to protect the Jewish diners being attacked in LA. After he sustained serious injuries, a Go Fund Me campaign raised 36,000 to help him and others have pledged to cover all his medical bills. A church in Florida donated 2 million dollars to build bomb shelters in Israel with the JNF. Israel has peace treaties with more Arab countries than ever before. And they didn't break those treaties when the war with Gaza just broke out.
Salvation can come from enemies, and disappointments from so-called friends. It’s all in God’s hands.
We read in Parsha Naso, how God instructed Aaron and his offspring to bless the Jewish people. Not only do the Cohanim/Priests bless the people with these words, but Jewish parents use this sacred prayer to bless their children on Friday nights and Erev Yom Kippur.
The prayer takes on special significance for me during times of trouble and strife. So I will say it with extra intention/kavanna this week when I bless our four children. And I encourage you to bless each other tonight and every Friday night with this blessing as well.
May Hashem bless you and protect you!
May Hashem deal kindly and graciously with you!
May Hashem bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
So dearest, sweetest, friends — Let us answer the haters with loving Jews, practicing more Judaism, supporting the Jewish community and its schools and its shuls.
We must not give into fear.
We must continue to spread light, stand up for what is right.
(On Sunday there is a big rally for peace in Los Angeles at the Federal Building see image below. There may be a rally or event in your city as well.)