Our hearts are crying at the unspeakable tragedy which has befallen our people in Israel. It is a personal loss and pain for each of us, and our hearts reach out to those who have lost loved ones, those who are missing, to our brave soldiers and their families.
There are so many unanswerable questions. And yet, there is a clear Jewish response even when we have no answers. Here are a few dilemmas that have arisen this week, followed by a call to action.
Question
Our wedding is coming up in a few weeks and I feel guilty even making preparations. How can we get married at a time like this?
Answer
If you would ask this question to an Israeli soldier on the front line, or a family grieving for their loved one lost in the attacks, their response would be unequivocal. Your wedding is exactly what the people of Israel need right now. A Jewish couple starting their life together is another step in the building of a Jewish future. The greatest boost you can give a nation in pain is to give reason to celebrate, expressing hope and confidence in tomorrow. Continue to plan your wedding, and celebrate with joy.
Question
A non-Jewish work colleague posted a message asking why our government is supporting Israel at this time when the Palestinians are suffering under occupation. How should I respond?
Answer
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complicated, with many different opinions on the topic. But when forty babies are butchered, grandmothers are taken hostage, and entire families are burned alive in their homes, there are no two valid opinions. That is outright savagery and evil of the worst degree. All good people must condemn those who commit such murderous acts, and show support to the victims. That is what Australia is doing, and we should all be proud of it.
Question
Hamas has declared a Day of Rage today and I am scared to attend shul. Are we supposed to risk our lives and go out, or stay safe and stay inside?
Answer
Each person has to make a rational assessment of the risk. If violent mobs are rampaging in the streets outside, your choice to stay home would be wise. On the other hand, just because somebody somewhere posted something threatening on social media shouldn't be a reason to cower in fear. This is exactly what the terrorists want - to intimidate us into retreat. Don't fall for it. If they want a Day of Rage, we declare a day of love, prayer and togetherness.
Question
I am glued to the news and can't stop watching the scenes coming out of Israel. Under the circumstances would it be permissible to leave the TV on over Shabbos?
Answer
Unless you are responding to an emergency, you need to switch off over Shabbos. And even when it isn't Shabbos, you help nobody by being glued to the media. Yes, it is important to keep informed, but that can be achieved by checking the news for half an hour a day, and reading a few well-informed and trustworthy sources. Then spend the rest of your time on more useful pursuits, like saying Tehillim, donating to vital causes in Israel, doing good deeds and reaching out to people who need support (see below for suggestions). But on Shabbos, stay off your screen, get out, and live through this difficult time with your community. You need it. We all do.
Question
This Shabbos, will services be a little muted or tempered due to the tragedies in Israel?
Answer
We will include memorial prayers for the fallen, prayers for those held in captivity, prayers for the IDF, and for all of Israel. It will be a Shabbos of strength, positivity, hope and faith. Most importantly, it will be a Shabbos of unity - coming together to strengthen one another, share this painful moment in our people's history, and redouble our resolve to conquer evil and let goodness prevail.
Many years ago, the great Chasidic master Rabbi Naftali of Ropschitz lost his best friend on Simchas Torah. And yet he continued to dance. His colleagues asked him how he can dance after such a tragedy. He answered, “When soldiers are fighting a battle, and one of their number falls, what do his comrades do? They keep on marching, and fight the war with confidence and positivity. The greatest way to honour those who have fallen is to soldier on.”
We are all at war against the forces of darkness and depravity. Some must fight with guns, but we can all take up weapons - our broken-hearted prayers, our hope-filled songs, our unconditional unity and our unbreakable faith to finally vanquish all this evil and darkness.
