Israel: Post October 7
Uvda, described by Variety as “the local equivalent to CBS News' 60 Minutes”, ran a segment that featured United Hatzalah members Avi and Avi who had been celebrating Shabbat and the holiday with their families and community when they first heard the news of the horrific attacks on October 7th. Following the Torah's injunction that saving a life supersedes all other laws, they jumped into their ambulance and started heading south.
The country's highest watched current affairs show broadcasted a video showing how thanks to their bravery and heroism, these United Hatzalah volunteers managed to save hundreds of lives during the first few hours of the barbaric October 7th terror attacks.
After watching the documentary, opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid reacted that they had single handedly changed the way secular Israelis viewed their Charedi (religious) counterparts. “There aren't a lot of things that this war will change forever, but one of them will be the way that Haredim and secular Israelis look at each other.”- Lapid tweeted.
In the months leading up to October 7, a significant and unfortunate rift had developed within Israeli society, posing a serious threat to the very fabric, character, and security of our nation. This rift was evident in the form of weekly protests involving hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens, along with calls for boycotts and the refusal of service, even from high-ranking IDF reservists. The public discourse and overall climate were growing increasingly divisive, with no apparent solution in sight.
This division wasn't merely a temporary concern related to political leaders and their policies; it struck at the core of how individuals perceived their Jewish identity and the nature of the land of Israel.
However, everything changed after the tragic attacks on Simchat Torah, October 7. In response, the Jewish people in Israel and around the world joined forces, uniting and offering support in a beautiful and heartwarming manner. The previously apparent differences of opinions, political affiliations, and religious observance that had threatened to split the community quickly dissipated.
Soldiers from diverse backgrounds were observed dancing, praying, and risking their lives to protect one another, showcasing a newfound unity. This unity extended globally, with Jews of all backgrounds standing in solidarity, offering support, wrapping Tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles, or celebrating Shabbat in merit of the safety of Israel and the Jewish people. What had seemed like a distant dream only a few months prior had become a beautiful reality.
The question arises: What is the secret behind this sudden shift?
In this week's Torah portion, Ki Sisa, we learn about an apparent disturbing and perplexing event that occurred less than forty days after the Jewish people heard the Ten Commandments from G-d on Mount Sinai.
Moses had ascended the mountain for forty days and nights to study the entire Torah from G-d in order to teach it to the Jewish people both in the written and oral forms. The Jewish people erred in their calculation and when Moses did not return from Mount Sinai on their expected date, the people made a golden calf and worshiped it as a replacement of their leader.
Just a few hours later, Moses descended from the mountain carrying the tablets of the testimony engraved with the Ten Commandments; seeing the people dancing about their idol, he broke the tablets and destroyed the golden calf.
G‑d proposed to destroy the Jewish nation, but Moses interceded on their behalf. As a faithful leader, he declared to G‑d and said: “If You do not forgive them, blot me out from the book that You have written (Exodus 32:32).” He wished to have no part of the Torah and Judaism if the Jewish people were to be destroyed as a result of their misconduct.
G‑d ultimately forgave the Jewish people and instructed Moses to prepare a new set of tablets.
While, at face value, the story seems to be demonstrating the disloyalty of some of the Jewish people towards G-d and Moses, however, the response and aftermath to this event actually demonstrates the greatest qualities of the Jewish people and Moses.
Although G-d is united with the Torah, His connection with His people is even more profound, as evidenced by the fact that the Jewish people preceded the Torah in creation. As a reflection of this, the bond between Moses and his people also transcended his bond to the Torah; therefore, if the Jewish people were to be annihilated, Moses saw no reason to remain part of the Torah.
Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Troyes, France 1040-1105), explains that Moses broke the tablets to protect the Jewish people from liability. If G-d were to ask why the people disobeyed the Torah, he would reply that they had not yet received the tablets and were therefore not yet bound by its rules.
Of course, G-d understood the essential nature of the Jewish people, but by challenging Moses and the Jewish people, G-d was empowering them to reveal and connect with their inherent Divine values.
The same holds true for the bond between all true Jewish leaders and their community. This essential bond remains intact even when the Jew disregards his or her connection to the Torah, as the Talmud states, “even when a Jew sins, he still remains a Jew.” Moses was therefore ready to sacrifice his connection with Torah and be removed from its pages for the sake of his people—all of his people, even those who worshiped the Golden Calf.
The lesson here for us, first of all, is that we must strive to emulate Moses' self-sacrifice for the Jewish people. It is not sufficient to simply fulfill the commandment to "love your fellow as yourself"; we must be ready to go out of our comfort zone to love and help every person, even those who may look or think differently than us.
What the massacres of October 7th have shown us is that we are truly one people. Our enemies do not differentiate, they hate all Jews the same. Let us use this power of unity for the positive and prove that we are one people each and every day.
In the merit of our brothers and sisters in Israel and the safe return of our hostages, let us invite a friend or neighbor for Shabbat dinner at our home, put on Tefillin, light Shabbat candles, affix a Mezuzah on our home, take time to share a relevant Torah insight with a business acquaintance, or do a random act of kindness to a complete stranger.
While the connection and unity of the Jewish people with G-d transcends even the Torah, G-d gave us the Torah and His Mitzvot so that we have the inspiration, guidelines and ability to develop a relationship with Him and transform this world into a home for G-d. Our involvement and dedication to Judaism should only enhance our connection and love with our fellow Jews and not, G-d forbid, lead to the contrary.
The fact that every Jew will forever remain an indispensable part of his or her people is the reason why our Sages declare that in the future Redemption, no one will be left behind. The positive quality that is present within every person will come to the surface, enabling each member of our people to merit the Redemption.
