Historic Moment

"Who knows 12? I know 12!" These words are from a rendition at the end of the Pesach Seder. The traditional response to this question is, "12 are the tribes of Israel." After the events of recent days, it appears that this question of "Who knows 12 ?" may have another answer. The most recent war that Israel waged with Iran is being called the "12-day war." There are so many layers and perspectives to unpack it's hard to know where to begin. The most severe consequence was the 28 fatalities as Iran fired about 550 missiles indiscriminately towards civilians in major population centers. They targeted a Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, which sustained significant damage. Every life lost is a tragedy that will permanently affect all the families of the victims. That being said, it's important to note how much worse the consequences were predicted to be. Each missile carried a warhead of at least a few hundred pounds and upwards to nearly two thousand pounds. Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli and American air defenses at an interception rate of around 90 percent. At least 31 ballistic missile impacts were reported in populated areas or critical infrastructure sites, including a power station in southern Israel and an oil refinery in Haifa. It's important to note that each missile could have killed hundreds or even thousands of people. The protective shield over Israel was felt both in the physical and spiritual realms. More importantly, it appears that the nuclear threat from Iran has been severely downgraded. The notion of Iran possessing nuclear weapons, combined with their regime's repeated declaration to destroy the State of Israel, was an existential threat to the lives of over seven million Jews. There is a large public area in Tehran called Palestine Square that had a clock that was counting down the time to the destruction of Israel. (This clock was taken down in an airstrike by the Israeli Air Force.) This should reinforce the understanding that the nature of the threat was from the regime in Tehran. We are filled with gratitude to G-d for giving the IDF the strength, fortitude, and courage to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, coming from this menacing regime. We are also filled with gratitude to President Trump and the United States for the historic action of dropping multiple bunker-busting bombs on multiple nuclear facilities in Iran. It is not an exaggeration to state that this action may have very well prevented a future Holocaust. As a community of faith, we continue to be forever grateful to G-d for being the ultimate Guardian of Israel, protecting His people in the sacred territory on this planet. Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Rise Up as a Lion

Israel is at war. Again. The truth is that this is not a new war but rather a new chapter in a decades-long campaign by the Islamic Republic of Iran to wipe Israel off the map. This new phase takes place amid the ongoing multi-front campaign that Israel is waging with Iran’s proxies all over the Middle East. It is rare for one country to fight a three-front war. Israel is fighting a seven-front war. Another unusual aspect of the nature of this conflict is that Israel is battling an enemy that desires its annihilation. If anyone had any doubts about that, October 7 clarified our understanding of the threats Israel constantly faces. While initial news reports indicate that Israel has struck a punishing blow against the Iranian regime, it’s important not to be lulled into a false sense of security. Iran possesses a great capacity to retaliate and inflict much pain and suffering. The threat to our ancestral homeland is real, and millions of our brothers and sisters are in great peril. The heroic members of the IDF are extraordinary in their dedication and mission to defend and protect the homeland. May the Guardian of Israel continue to watch over them in this most tenuous moment. I am not a military or intelligence analyst and won’t attempt to be an armchair general. I do have thoughts from a spiritual perspective. It’s interesting to note that the current military operation has been called עם כלביא or Operation Rising Lion. This phrase originates from the Torah, in which Bilam refers to the Jewish People as a Rising Lion. Rashi has the following commentary on this verse. “When they rise from their sleep in the morning, they show themselves strong as a lioness and as a lion to “snatch at” the Divine precepts (to perform them immediately) — to clothe themselves with the Tallit, to read the Shema and to lay Tefillin.” This underscores the tenacity of the Jew who has been fiercely dedicated to G-d and diligent in connecting with His word. He jumps on the opportunity to be a Lion as an engaged and connected Jew. Lions are necessary on the battlefield and physical homefront. Lions are also needed on the spiritual homefront. In the “Never Again is Now era,” it is incumbent on all of us to rise up like a Lion, one way or another. Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Privilege or Burden?

Shver tsu zayn a Yid — It's hard to be a Jew, said the old Yiddish proverb. Many of us have verbalized this phrase for a long time in one iteration or another, from the Kosher consumer in the grocery store who realizes that record inflation does not even take the skyrocketing prices of kosher groceries into account. It also may be uttered by any one of tens of thousands of Jewish parents who are committed to providing a K-12 Jewish education to their children and realizing that their tuition bill is north of fifty thousand dollars. Since October 7, this phrase has been uttered by countless Jewish university students as they are physically bullied and intimidated by rising Jewish hatred. There is a fascinating insight at the beginning of this week's parsha that helps reframe the issue. The Torah articulates the different roles and responsibilities of the Levites, the spiritual custodians of the Mishkan. There were three primary families from the tribe of Levi, and each had distinct roles assigned. The three Levite families were Kehas, Gershon, and Merari. In describing the role of the family of Gershon, the Torah uses interesting language. The Torah states, זֹ֣את עֲבֹדַ֔ת מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַעֲבֹ֖ד וּלְמַשָּֽׂא. It is translated as, "These are the duties of the Gershonite families as to serve and porterage." Was this a noble service or a mundane task of schlepping (another Yiddish word)? One idea that is offered is that there are two general ways we can embrace our communal responsibilities in particular and obligations as Jews in general. We can view it as part of a higher calling that we have been chosen and have a special destiny in history. Part of having a higher calling comes with more responsibilities. If someone embraces this worldview, they can view their Jewish responsibilities as a privilege and badge of honor. Another view is to view responsibilities in life as a Jew as nothing short of a burden. Such a person will regularly lament about how burdensome or unfair it is to lead a Jewish life. The Torah taught the Gershon family that they can choose how to embrace their communal responsibilities. They can view them as a privilege for which they can be thankful, or as a burden for which they can resent. While we may not belong to the Gershon section of the tribe of Levi, we are regularly asked to choose how we view our approach to Jews. How is it for you? A privilege or a burden? Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch