From Rabbi Chaitovsky: Following Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, I reached out to our new Rabbi for Youth and Family Engagement, Reb Shalom, who flew to Israel with his family on Monday night. They're all safe and sound but like everyone else in Israel, are on pins and needles. He wrote the following which he asked me to share with everyone. Sha'alu sh'lom Yerushalayim. Let us all pray for peace in Jerusalem, in Tel Aviv, in Haifa...in ALL of Israel! Here are Reb Shalom's words:
Dear family,
Shalom here. Standing on the banks of the kinneret, feeling the holiness of this land, and the sadness that there are those that seek to destroy it.
Tonight we celebrated the wedding of my dear cousin by the waters of the Galilee. What joy, what prayer and depth. What a TRIBE!
Then the siren blared across the early morning air, as remnants of the wedding were still singing around the fire and dipping in the water. The people with a calm resolve arose and began their unfortunately too well-known ritual. Check on family, gather supplies, get ready for the message to go to the shelter, perhaps try to get some shuteye before.
Yet in the space between the joy of union and the sad reality of war, there is a deep truth.
The bride and groom believe in a beautiful world. A beautiful future. We all came to celebrate it. We all believe in it. We trust and know that we are in the best hands. Hashem loves us and will protect his Holy Nation. The eternal people believe that the eternal God will bring a time of eternal good.
This is a battle between the forces of light and life and those that are consumed with darkness and death. The smallest candle lights the whole room. Our radiant people will light up the whole world. Darkness flees before the light.
It is significant that today's date is 6/13. Try to strengthen one of the 613 mitzvot. Welcoming guests, honoring shabbat, giving more charity. Let's show Hashem we care about our relationship with him. Let's take our place as the nation who brings the light and might of Hashem to the world.
Pray that our forces cut off the head of the snake. Pray that the true Persians will arise and reclaim their country from the evil dictatorship of today.
Pray for the safety of our Am Yisrael. Pray that days of peace shine bright and soon.
Going to bed with hope for a day off revealed blessings and miracles.
Bnei Yisrael Chai Chazak chazak
Reb Shalom
