Preparing for Battle

This past week, hundreds of rockets have rained on Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip. Despite the fear felt within Israel and in the Jewish community, there has also been an amazing display of unity and resilience among our worldwide community. While casualties on both sides are regrettable and awful, the ability for a free nation to provide safety and normalcy to its people when attacked is a necessary and fundamental right. Make no mistake, it is Islamic terror groups in Gaza (and now Lebanon) who are forcing Israel into action, not vice versa.

​

Years ago, I met a French man who had immigrated to Israel in the late 1980’s. In 1991, while living in Tel Aviv, Saddam Hussein rained 39 scud missiles on his city. When the dust had settled, not one Israeli had been killed by the rocket fire. To give us an idea of how incredible this was, one scud missile in February of that year struck a U.S. army base in Saudi Arabia, killing 28 and wounding 98. This man was so moved by the miracles in front of his eyes, that he renewed a stronger bond to Judaism and God in his life.

Does Judaism emphasize practicality and safety, or pure faith and trust in God's assistance? One of the earliest examples of dealing with threat of conflict in the Torah is seen with our forefather Jacob's meeting with his brother Esau and his army. First, Jacob sent messengers of good will and peace to his brother. He asked that he forget the old grievances of the past. Jacob had experienced great hardship during the past twenty years under the conniving Laban, whereas Esau was now a great chieftain. The messengers returned with disappointment. They had failed in their mission, and reported that Esau and his army seemed in the mood for a fight.

Jacob had no choice but to prepare for battle against his brother. He wisely divided his camp into two, so that one could escape if the other were defeated. Only then, feeling that safety and deliverance were in the hands of G-d alone, he prayed that He be with him in this fight against the superior troops of Esau.

Even though he had prepared for war, Jacob did not abandon hope for a friendly settlement with Esau. He sent servants bearing rich presents for Esau, to try and arouse his compassion. At the same time, he fervently prayed to G-d to turn Esau’s anger into a feeling of brotherhood.

Peace talks have failed time and again. The prospect of a lasting and practical peace for both sides must be pursued, but in the meantime Israel must deal with the reality of the situation, preparing for war as Jacob did, all the while praying to G-d for protection and a successful outcome. Just as the rockets of the Gulf war in 1991 couldn't kill any Jews, the hundreds of rockets in 2014 have failed as well. G-d's protection in the times of Jacob apply now more than ever. The Iron Dome has proven a true gift from G-d, through the incredible intelligence and ingenuity of Israel's Technicians at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

But what can we can do to help? Just as Jacob placed his faith in Divine protection, while doing everything he could practically to achieve success, so can we. Together with advocating for Israel's right to self defense in our newspapers, on social media and on radio, our prayers and good deeds can serve as a spiritual boost of energy to our Israeli family. We have the right to bare arms with the Mitzvah of Tefillin, and light up the darkness of the world with Shabbat candles Friday evening. May our prayers and increase in goodness lead G-d to finally end conflict and pain for our people and the world, once and for all, speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

Rabbi Daniel Bortz

Twins in the Womb

This Email is dedicated to our fallen brothers of Israel, Eyal Yirfrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel

Imagine twins living peacefully in their Mother's womb. They're happily enjoying their 9 month vacation, being fed via the navel, every need accounted for. The whole world, to these twins, is the interior of the womb. As they grow They begin to wonder: “Surely if this continues, we will exit this world one day. What will happen after we leave?”

 

​

The first infant tells the other: “I think that after this, there will be a new and great world. We will experience so much more! We will see amazing wonders over great distances, we'll hear through our ears and taste all types of foods with our mouths, we'll walk with our feet and think up endless ideas with our brains!"

The second child looks skeptically at his twin: “You’re crazy! You have a great imagination, but you have no proof. You are looking for something to calm your fear of the unknown. There is only this world that we experience. If you ask me, I think when we leave this environment, we will sink into oblivion. Nothing. A black void. An end to consciousness. This may not be comforting, but it's the logical outcome.”

Suddenly, the water inside the womb bursts. Upheaval & Turmoil. The optimistic twin exits to the sound of shouts from loving family members and friends. The second twin bewails and bemoans the tragedy - Why him?

This analogy pertains to our lives in this physical world, where a spiritual reality isn't readily apparent. However, unlike the twins in the story who had very little access to perceiving a greater reality than they're own, we have endless opportunities and insights int the spiritual, from the infinite complexities and beauty of our universe, to the wisdom of the Torah and the miracle which is the land of Israel.

As we mourn the loss of our loved ones, may we be comforted in the knowledge that there is more than what we see, and that those who leave this world, move to a better reality, greeted by loved ones.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

Counting Diamonds

"Count the heads of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by families following their fathers' houses" (Numbers,1:2).

Because of G-d's great love for His people, He counts them all the time. He counted them when they left Egypt. He counted them after they fell in the wake of the sin of the Golden Calf, to know the number of the survivors. And He counted them when He came to manifest His presence within them. (Rashi, commenting on this verse)

Every Sunday in his later years (from the age of 86-92 yrs. old), the Rebbe - Menachem Mendel Schneerson, would stand for hours on end, greeting all comers with a smile and an encouraging word, as well as a dollar to be given to charity. An elderly lady once remarked to him in wonder, "Rebbe, how can you do this? Don't you ever get tired standing for hours on end at your age?" The Rebbe responded: "One never gets tired when counting diamonds."

Unfortunately, most of us see the mud which covers up the diamond more often than not. It takes much self refinement and character improvement to be able to see good in another beyond any bad. Since the sin of Adam & Eve, the body supersedes the soul from our human viewpoint, making it much more difficult to see the soul of another; the inner good. There's "Me, Myself, and I" and then everyone else. Our job then is to become less inward focused and more sensitive to others, for each is a diamond of immense, unique value.

When looking at a star from earth, it looks the same as all of the others. But if we were to get a closer look, we would see the special, distinct quality of that unique star. So too with every person we meet. First glances may leave much to be desired, but if we make the effort to get to know the person, peering deeper, we may find a diamond inside.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Daniel