Held hostage for 505 days in unfathomable conditions.
The mind stretches and the heart breaks trying to understand the depravity and magnitude of it all which is of course, unfathomable — and then….. in an interview…words of blinding light, angelic in nature, unbridled power — the soul of the Jew.
“I would literally sit and talk with G-d”, said Omer Shemtov. (Click here for video)
“You know how it is, everyone just asks things from Gd but don’t ask Him how He’s doing.
So I always started by asking are you ok father? What’s going on with You? How are You? How are You feeling?
Then I would first give him thanks. Thank You that I’m alive. Thank You that I’m breathing. Thank You for the food that I have. Thank You for everything that I have. Then I would start shooting my requests”.
A lesson in prayer to say the least. Perhaps an even greater lesson about gratitude.
Is there really something to thank Gd for, sitting in a dungeon deprived of sunlight, sustenance, hygiene and water? Apparently yes.
Closer to home. Do we begin to appreciate the magnitude of our blessings? Ongoing and unabated blessings that is…
How fortunate and blessed we all are, upon even mild reflection!
And then came his actual request of Gd..
“Father, put me on the right path. Help me get home in peace. Direct me. Give me strength. Take care of my family”.
Enlightening. Guiding. Perhaps a little bit sobering when compared to some of the prayers that make it to my list — amazingly inspiring.
The indomitable strength and spirit of the Jew. It has ensured our survival and vibrancy since the times of Abraham and Sarah. We all have it yet it can lay dormant when not nurtured.
Next week, we celebrate Shavuot — the Festival we received the Torah. It’s the source of our wisdom, discernment, sensitivity and survival. It’s a Festival that’s too easy to miss yet too critical to miss. It gives a time and a place that we truly became a nation — receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai — and from that time on we’ve cherished it, studied it, protected it and celebrated with it.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe campaigned that everyone, even little children should hear the reading of the 10 Commandments. For something to really resonate hearing it from the source —together with community — reengages the soul, the senses and ultimately the blessings!
With best wishes for Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor
P.S. To actually welcome a new Torah into the Westport community — dedicated to all those who we lost on October 7th and in prayerful wishes for the return of all the remaining hostages — please JOIN US on June 1.