Praying for uninterrupted light

The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. At the gathering of the Jewish Community in Bondi Beach, Australia, two terrorists filled with hate and thoroughly evil intentionally killed at least 16 people. People came together to light the Menorah, and at that moment, so much darkness was unleashed. There are times when one is at a loss for words, and this may be one of those. It was an event supposed to be filled with light. How can you put into words the sheer scope and magnitude of this tragedy? ​ The Torah states that the order of creation was that darkness was created, and only then was light created. Our Rabbi teaches us that on a deeper level, we must experience darkness before we can experience the light. We are familiar with the fact that darkness and light are not only about a time of day or when a light is turned on or off. Darkness and light represent different periods in life during which we experience blessings or curses. Light represents not only material blessings but also spiritual blessings. One can feel the countenance of G-d during this period. As we pray in the final blessing of Sim Shalom in the Amida, בָּרְ֒כֵֽנוּ אָבִֽינוּ כֻּלָּֽנוּ כְּאֶחָד בְּאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ. Translation: “Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your countenance.” It is this light that the Chanukah lights reflect. It is well beyond the physical light coming from a candle or a burning wick. Darkness represents the very opposite of this countenance. The face of G-d is hidden during these times of darkness, and much pain and tragedy ensue. For whatever reason, it was divinely decreed that we must undergo the period of darkness before we may merit to see the light. As we continue to suffer in the dark, we look upwards and say to G-d, Have we not suffered enough? When will the era of uninterrupted light finally commence? In this week's Parsha, our Patriarch Yaakov, in his prayers, invokes the name of G-d as שד-י. Rashi explains that this name is associated with the word די (enough). The reason that Yaakov called out to G-d with the name שד-י is that he was pleading, “may He say 'Enough!” to my troubles.” (יֹאמַר דַּי לְצָרוֹתַ) ​ As we gather to light the last few Chanukah lights, let us invoke the same prayer of our ancestor Yaakov, and may we finally have a breakthrough to uninterrupted light. ​ Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Light Up the World

The polar vortex is coming again. Meteorologists are forecasting a “triple dip” of sub-zero temperatures in a good part of the country in December. Even the Great State of Florida will not be immune to the frigid air. Temperatures as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit are forecast, increasing the risk of frost and damage to sensitive outdoor vegetation. I know that polar vortex when I see some of the trees in our neighbourhood sporting sweaters. ​ The truth is that it’s not only cold and dark in a physical sense. The Jewish people are once again encountering the cold and dark experiences that our ancestors experienced regularly, but we thought were in the rear-view mirror of history. ​ As we gather on Sunday night to once again light the Chanukah candles, it is an opportunity to bring light into this dark world. Our Rabbis teach that lighting the candles is merely a physical manifestation of our actively bringing the light of G-d into the world. There is an unusual practice related to Chanukah called “Pirsumei Nisa.” (Translation: to let the miracle be known to the public.) We are not merely obligated to light the Menorah, but obligated to light it in public. Even if someone is lighting at home, it should not be inside but rather at the door or window. There is no parallel obligation to any of the other Jewish holidays. One can ask, as we say at the Pesach seder, Mah Nishtana! Why do we light the Chanukah lights in public display when there is such an obligation for any other Mitzvah? ​ The reason for the unusual practice is that it underscores a primary theme of Chanukah. The physical light that we kindle is merely a physical manifestation of the spiritual and Divine light that enters our world. In a space and time rife with societal breakdown of so many of our most cherished values, it is the Divine light of the Chanukah lights that reminds us to be the best versions of ourselves. As we gather this Sunday night to light the first candle, let us remind ourselves that, despite all the chaos and darkness that we find ourselves in, we have the power to bring the most exalted light into our world. All we need to do is light the match. ​ Have a Peaceful Shabbos, ​ Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Dual Citizenship

Political shots have been fired. Freshman Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio has introduced legislation to ban dual citizenship in the United States. The “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025” would make it illegal for an American citizen to hold dual citizenship with another country. Moreno, who himself immigrated from Colombia, is touting his own renunciation of his Colombian identity as the champion of this cause. Moreno stated,” If you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing. It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.” ​ It remains to be seen whether this legislation will become law or withstand the scrutiny of the Supreme Court (previous court rulings have upheld dual citizenship as constitutional). Regardless, this call to action reflects the political environment. The ramifications for the Jewish community, especially those American Jews living in Israel with dual citizenship, is very significant. The tilt toward nationalism has been picking up steam in the MAGA world, and some in the movement are also calling for it to be illegal for any American to serve in the IDF. One of the accusations of Jews throughout history has been that we have not shown sufficient loyalty to the host country. One of the blessings of the American Jewish story until now has been that we did not have to choose between being a proud Jew and a loyal American. The road ahead in the American Jewish story may be changing, and we are looking for twists and turns in this road that we might not have seen before. In this week's Parsha, our ancestor Yaakov has an encounter with one of history's first anti-Semites. It was his brother Esav. After over two decades of Esav attempting to kill Yaakov, the two brothers arrive at reconciliation. The Torah describes the encounter as warm, noting that Esav even kissed Yaakov. What’s odd is that the Hebrew word for "and he kissed him” is וַיִּשָּׁקֵ֑הוּ, and there are dots over the word וַיִּשָּׁקֵ֑הוּ in the Torah. The placement of these dots is usually there to indicate a deeper message. Rashi quotes the Midrash to the effect that it is known that Esav hates Yaakov. It was just then that Esav was overwhelmed with compassion and embraced Yaakov. It doesn’t mean that Esav was insincere when he embraced Yaakov. It means that it was an aberration of his default of hostility. ​ Throughout our history, we have been accosted by the biological and ideological descendants of Esav who threatened our destruction time and time again. The pattern usually begins on more benign terms and might even be friendly. Usually, at some point, we are given an ultimatum to either give up our faith or else. The call to end Dual Citizenship may turn out to be a blip on the screen that won’t affect us much. Or it may be the new canary in the coal mine. Either way, it requires us to buckle up for the road ahead. ​ Have a Peaceful Shabbos, ​ Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Thoughts for Thanksgiving

As Americans gather around their table to celebrate Thanksgiving, this year will be challenging to feel the feelings of gratitude generally associated with this time of year. With the political realities on both the Right and the Left changing and Jew hatred rising on nearly a daily basis the air is heavy and it's hard to get into the headspace of gratitude in 2025. The reality is that no matter how challenging the environment is, we never lose the opportunity to express our gratitude. There is a fascinating insight on gratitude from next week's Parsha that I believe addresses this point. After the birth of her first child, Rachel names the baby Yosef. The stated reason for this is that G-d has spared me from shame. The basic understanding is that she has been spared from shame because now she has finally been blessed to have a child after being barren for many years. Rashi, in his commentary, offers a bizarre explanation in the name of a Midrash. The comment is that Rachel would have to take responsibility for various mishaps around the house prior to having a baby. Mishaps such as who broke the dish or ate the snacks would leave Rachel feeling sheepish when her husband would come home. With the arrival of a baby in the home, there was now someone to blame for these mishaps. Hence, G-d had spared her shame. The Midrash is incredulous with this interpretation! It reflects an incredible shallow perspective on our revered matriarch, Rachel! After the amazing blessing of bringing a new life into the world, Rachel is thankful for something so mundane! Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, in his commentary, offers insight on this passage in particular and on gratitude in general. One doesn't need to be seeking macro and life-changing occurrences for one to express gratitude over. Granted, when those blessings occur in life it is appropriate to be grateful. However, one should seek to identify minor or even mundane happenings in our daily life to show our appreciation and gratitude. Tamara Levitt, a well-known meditation and mindfulness instructor in her masterclass on the Calm app, suggests doing an exercise whenever you find yourself caught up in negativity or seem to need a dose of gratitude called the Gratitude Countdown. She offered the following ten examples of everyday reasons in her won life for her to be grateful: 1)The comforting bowl of miso soup I had for dinner. 2)The fact that I live close to a park where I can breathe fresh air and enjoy a daily dose of nature. 3)A local tailor was able to fix the zipper on my 25-year-old irreplaceable coat. 4)The voicemail I received this morning from my nephew. 5)The subway system I use to zip across the city to do errands. 6)The birds I heard chirping cheerfully outside my window this morning. 7)The marvel of modern communication and the ease it helps me stay in touch with friends and family. 8)My incredible job and the privilege of doing meaningful work. 9)My network of friends and the support I feel from friendships. 10)My mediation practice helps me stay grounded in the world. This list is particular to her life, but I was struck by how ordinary these items seemed. This year more than ever, let us make a choice to seek out and identify simple things in life for which to be grateful. Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

Walking Between the Raindrops

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun". These words were written by King Solomon about three thousand years ago. Sometimes we fantasize that painful and tragic moments from previous eras will never be repeated, and we are surprised when ominous indicators appear on our radar. It was about 90 years ago in the United States, when Charles Coughlin, a Canadian-born Catholic priest, electrified the radio airwaves with his rhetoric filled with overt Jew hatred. It is estimated that Coughlin had about 40 million weekly listeners who were glued to their radios, only too eager to digest the poison that he espoused. Coughlin was one of the key figures during the America First nationalist wave of the 30’s that successfully influenced the American government to be neutral in the days leading up to and in the beginning of the Holocaust. We all know too well how that ended. ​ We are living in interesting times amid a new and different America First movement. To be sure, there are versions of this ideology that are not hostile to the Jews and their ancestral homeland. After several years in word and deed, President Trump has demonstrated that one can be a champion of America First and be a friend and ally to Israel and the Jewish People. However, the next generation is emerging, and many of them have made clear that, in their viewpoint, America First and Israel First are mutually exclusive. The traditional view that America stood by Israel because of shared values is now being undermined not only on the left but more recently in the circles on the right. The center is dangerously shrinking and becoming lonelier. One of the most influential podcasters on the right, whose name I cannot bear to mention, has tens of millions of followers who listen and are influenced by his rhetoric. One of the positions the podcaster champions is that no U.S. citizen should be allowed to serve in the IDF, as that would constitute a lack of loyalty. He does not share the same position if anyone is a dual citizen of a country other than Israel. Most recently, the podcaster hosted an infamous Nazi sympathizer on his show and offered little pushback. The Heritage Foundation, a revered think tank in the Conservative movement, refused to distance itself from this podcaster. ​ One of the blessings for American Jews for the vast majority of its time in the United States has been the liberty of not needing to choose to be a loyal American and a proud Jew who is connected to Israel. There are cracks in the armor that indicate an unwelcome change might be coming. ​ In this week's parsha, our patriarch Avraham identifies himself as a “newcomer and a resident.” It would appear to be a contradictory way of describing oneself. If you are a foreigner, then you are not a resident, and vice versa. Avraham was teaching us that we must embrace this dual identity. Yes, we are loyal citizens to the host country, and we have a covenantal relationship with G-d for over 3,000 years. Both ideologies are aligned with one another and not mutually exclusive. ​ As Jews, we live with PTSD from our collective past. Some Jews always make sure to have valid passports, as you can never be sure. Even if someone else might think that it is an overreaction, one must not delude oneself into thinking that all is ok. While the mediums of communication have changed from the radio to the online world and its social media offerings, human nature and its weaknesses remain the same. Sometimes we delude ourselves into thinking that we can just wait until the storm passes. More often than not, the Jewish story has conditioned us to keep dancing between the raindrops. Have Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

The Hostages Teach us About Shabbos

As the freed hostages from captivity in Gaza continue to recount their stories of how they survived about two years in the most horrific and vile conditions, they are telling us about what sustained them. It was faith in G-d that gave them the strength to cope with this hell on earth. Several of the hostages strengthened their commitment to Shabbos in captivity. Eli Sharabi, in interviews and in his book, has said that they would make kiddush every Friday night on a cup of water. They would sing the songs Shalom Aleichem and Aishes Chayil before making Kiddush. Bar Kupershtein, another freed hostage, retells how he and his fellow hostages would raise their voices in the tunnels and sing all the prayers on Friday night. ​ There are many layers to this most extraordinary display of faith and conviction. One of the lessons for all of us is to redouble our own connection in any way that we can. This applies to everyone, no matter how Shabbos-observant or not; one may practice throughout the year. This year, we are once again proud to partner with the Kollel to bring the Shabbos Project to our community. Several years ago, the Shabbos Project began modestly and has since grown into a major global movement. The 2025 Shabbat Project will unite Jews from all walks of life across 1,500 cities and 100 countries to celebrate Shabbat in a spirit of joy and unity. In Israel alone, more than one million people are expected to take part. ​ Here in Jacksonville, over the course of the Shabbos Project, many people have kept the entire Shabbos for the first time. This year, we salute and honor everyone’s commitment to Shabbos, especially those who are coming to our neighborhood to experience the entire Shabbos. ​ As there is increased turmoil and external threats to our people, including the United States, it is so important to turn inward and be strengthened by the power of faith and Shabbos. Bar Kupershtein, upon his release, said his motto that kept him alive for 738 days in the closest thing to hell on earth was knowing he was always in the hands of the Creator of the world. Our commitment and relationship with Shabbos is a declaration to the world that we are always in the hands of the Creator of the world. Now more than ever, we need to once again make that declaration, loud and proud. ​ Have a Peaceful Shabbos, ​ Rabbi Yaakov Fisch

New York has a New Mayor

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal offered a $10 million donation following the 9/11 attacks on a visit to Ground Zero with New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani, on October 11, 2001. Alongside the donation, the prince issued a statement calling on the U.S. to reassess its Middle East policies and adopt a more balanced approach to the Palestinian issue. Giuliani publicly refused the donation and strongly denounced the prince's comments. He stated that equating the attackers with U.S. policy was "highly irresponsible and very, very dangerous.” ​ In 2014, while Israel fought Hamas in Gaza, the FAA, in a politicized decision from the Obama administration, canceled all flights to and from Israel with US carriers. (Hamas later referred to the FAA decision as a strategic victory.) Only El Al was flying, and many were understandably worried about traveling to Israel. One person who was not worried was another NYC mayor, Michael Bloomberg. He traveled on El Al to Israel during the war. Bloomberg said, “his goal was to demonstrate that it was safe to fly in and out of Israel and to protest the US flight ban, which he called a mistake that hands Hamas an undeserved victory". ​ Bloomberg, Guilani, and current Mayor Eric Adams are from a long line of great friends to the Jewish Community and Israel. Given that over 1.3 million Jews live in the Greater NYC area, it makes sense that the Mayor would seek to align with the Jewish Community's priorities. That is why it is so disconcerting to see this once great city about to elect someone who is sympathetic to terrorists who seek to destroy Israel. Oh, and he also doesn’t believe Israel should be a Jewish State. ​ There is much to unpack here, but this unwelcome development has caused much unease and anxiety across the Jewish Community well beyond NYC. One perspective from some people is that it’s time to move out of NYC, as it’s now unwelcome to Jews, and seek a safer place like Florida. It was not too long ago that people saw NYC as a safe and ideal place for Jews to live and thrive. If NYC is not living up to that ideal, then it’s just the latest example of places that Jews, after a while of climbing to the highest echelon of society, are confronted with the unwelcome reality. Simply saying, "let’s move to another state," does not appreciate the historical pattern. Yes, we are very grateful to our Governor and all the elected officials in Florida for being such great friends and allies, but the political winds are always subject to blowing in another direction. ​ We read about our Patriarch Avraham, and he famously referred to himself as a גר ותושב. The basic translation is a “stranger and a resident.” Avraham was teaching us that we must embrace tension as we live as both strangers and residents. It was just about 100 years ago, in the 1922 parliamentary elections in Poland, that Jewish politicians won 34 seats in the Sejm (the lower house of parliament) and 22 in the Senate. While not to draw a clear parallel, to the Jewish story in the USA, it behooves us to always live with our eyes wide open. In this week's parsha, we once again read that G-d told Avraham,”to your descendants, I will give this land.” The parcel of land is not in NYC, Florida, or anywhere else in the diaspora. The current mayoral candidate in NYC, is just the latest figure in the Jewish story of at least 3,000 years of our rich and tortured history to remind us of this uncomfortable truth. ​ Have a Peaceful Shabbos, ​ Rabbi Yaakov Fisch