Israel, our home!
As we watch in horror the merciless murders, maiming, and kidnappings of our brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel by evil terrorists, may G-d protect us. What can we do to contribute to the war effort against our enemies?
Let us be clear: this war is not about so-called "settlers in disputed territories”. It is not just an attack on Israeli citizens; rather, it is an attack on every Jew wherever we are in the world.
As we have seen, these barbaric anti-Semites attack without discrimination. Age, gender, or religious affiliation doesn't matter; a Jew is a Jew is a Jew.
Throughout our long history, numerous nations have attempted to destroy us, from the ancient Egyptians, Amalekites, and Romans to Nazi Germany and Islamic Jihadist Terrorists. But every time, we have endured and emerged victorious.
As we recite in the Passover Haggadah each year, "It is this (faith in G-d) that has stood by our ancestors and us. More than one (enemy) has risen up against us to destroy us. Rather, in every generation they rise against us to annihilate us. The Holy One, blessed be He, however, saves us from their hand."
Just as our physical bodies consist of both body and soul, the collective body of the Jewish people comprises the physical and the spiritual.
While the courageous soldiers of the IDF will continue to protect us militarily with G-d’s help, we must do our part to combat our enemies spiritually. When we stand united, strengthen our faith in G-d through prayer, and reconnect with our souls by performing Mitzvot, we remain invulnerable.
“One action is better than a thousand sighs.” The Torah teaches that the measure of good is far greater than the measure of evil. Let us counter the terrorists by uniting together and unleashing the greatest power of good the world has ever experienced.
The best defense is a good offense. To defend ourselves effectively, we must first acquaint ourselves with what Israel truly represents and how we are all an inseparable part of the land.
Following the holiday of Simchat Torah, where we celebrated the completion of the entire Torah, on this Shabbat, we begin reading the Torah once again.
In the very first verse of the Torah, we read about the creation of the world: "In the beginning of G-d's creation of the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, one of the foremost Torah commentators, poses a simple question: Since the Torah is not a history book but rather a guide for the Jewish people on how to lead their lives and fulfill their mission, it would seem more fitting for the Torah to begin with the first Mitzvah given to the Jewish people rather than sharing the historical background of the creation of the world. Rashi explains that the Torah is laying the foundation for our connection to the land of Israel.
"For if the nations of the world should say to Israel, 'You are robbers, for you conquered by force the lands of the seven nations (present-day Israel),' they will reply, 'The entire earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it (this we learn from the story of the Creation) and gave it to whomever He deemed proper. When He wished, He gave it to them, and when He wished, He took it away from them and gave it to us."
Although Rashi's response was written close to a thousand years ago, it is more relevant today than ever before. Our right to the land of Israel isn't based solely on the Balfour Declaration in 1917, the UN vote in 1947, or our historical presence there for thousands of years. While these arguments may have validity, others can present counter-arguments. The Land of Israel is ours because the Creator declared in His Torah that it is the eternal inheritance of the people of Israel. As stated: "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates' (Genesis 15:18)."
Ultimately, this is our true claim to the Land of Israel. Furthermore, billions of Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other religions also accept the Bible and believe in the truth of its prophecies. The Quran itself does not dispute the Jews' right to the Land of Israel. By openly and proudly stating these facts and standing firm in our beliefs, we can ultimately bring long-term peace to the region.
The Midrash explains that the purpose of creation is to create a dwelling place for G-d in this physical world. The Land of Israel represents the ultimate home for G-d on Earth, which is why it is called the holy land. Our mission is to share that holiness, inspiration, positivity, and warmth with the rest of the world, ultimately fulfilling the purpose of creation by ushering in the final redemption.
The Torah teaches us (and history has repeatedly demonstrated to us) that the physical protection of each one of us — and, indeed, our very collective destiny — is intrinsically connected to our spiritual activism.
When we pray or dedicate a good deed to our brothers and sisters in Israel, we create a spiritual defense shield for them that will help them through difficult and dangerous times.
In that vein, we've gathered some of the directives that the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, shared with the Jewish people worldwide during times of crisis in Israel; positive action we can each take for Israel and its people.
Unite:
The Torah is the common denominator that unites all Jewish people. Special Torah scrolls are being written in Israel, in which every single Jewish person may purchase a letter to become part of the Torah and unite together. Besides for fulfilling (at least in part) the Biblical commandment to write a Torah scroll, having a letter in these scrolls connects you and Jewish people all over the globe, in Israel and the diaspora, into one Torah-created unified entity.
Purchase letters for yourself and your family members, and encourage others to do the same. Fill out this form to purchase letters (for a symbolic $1) in the special Unity Torah.
Furthermore, reach out to family members, business acquaintances or community members whom you may have lost touch with and share a positive message. Join unity gatherings geared for the local Jewish community and express Jewish pride.
Pray:
The power of prayer. Our ability to reach the gates of heaven and plead with the Almighty to make things better. Dedicate a daily prayer for our brethren in Israel. Psalms are especially appropriate for times like this. But feel free to go off-script and speak to G‑d directly in your own words, too. While praying, keep in mind those who are held hostage, the injured, and all of Israel. Click HERE for some Psalms.
Give Tzedakah:
The protective strength of charity is considered to be particularly strong.
Chabad's Terror Victims Project and Colel Chabad are two of the many worthy organizations supporting those in Israel affected by terror.
Mezuzah:
Called the “guard” of the Jewish home and the guardian of the Jewish people throughout the ages, the mezuzah is a parchment scroll containing sacred portions of the Torah that is hung on the right side of the doorpost to a Jewish home. They are also affixed on most doorposts within the home.
Do you have mezuzahs? This is a good time have them checked to make sure they are still in tiptop shape. (It is best to check your mezuzahs annually, and at least twice every seven years.)
Share the Power of Light:
Join millions of Jewish woman and girls around the globe lighting Shabbat candles every Friday before the onset of Shabbat and on the eve of Jewish holidays. While this is a once-a-week mitzvah, its power lasts for an entire seven days. Lighting Shabbat and holiday candles ushers light and peace into the home and the world.
Learn how to light Shabbat candles, find out what time the candles should be lit, read stories and discover the power of bringing more light into the world.
Jewish Learning & Education:
Torah study has the power to elevate our minds, purify our hearts, and connect us to our shared Jewish heritage and our brethren in Israel. Click here to subscribe a friend to our weekly Torah in Ten mailing list.
Take Up a “Call to Arms”:
Before the outbreak of the 1967 six-day-war, the Rebbe prompted a literal “call to arms” to encourage Jewish men to don the holy heart-and-mind connectors known as tefillin, whose spiritual potency is foretold in the Talmud to help instill fear and deterrence in the enemy.
Want to learn how to put on tefillin? Check out this tutorial. Don't have tefillin? Reply to this email to schedule a brief meeting to come put on tefillin and say a prayer for Israel.
