Miracles are unfolding for Israel and the world as the dually named war with Iran continues.
For Israel and the Nation of Israel, the maniacal and evil intentions, constantly touted by Iran and executed by their proxies, has been a tremendous source of worry and fear — and has exacted a very high price!
Yet despite this overhang that has been constant, Israel has flourished. Israel has become the beacon of light for the world in so many ways. How can a besieged nation, surrounded by lesser than friends flourish? That too is miraculous— yet not the entire story.
Earlier this week, one of the monstrous ballistic missiles sent by Iran — with the intention of inflicting death and destruction on innocent civilians in the heart of Israel —struck in Beit Shemesh. There were 9 fatalities and multiple injuries. A community devastated.
Reading through some of the real life stories I was moved to tears and at the same time inspired beyond.
Tamar and Yitzchak Biton lost three of their four children in the Beit Shemesh horrific attack. Amidst the excruciating pain as she sat Shiva in a hotel in Jerusalem as their house has been destroyed she says “she has been able to maintain her faith because she works to cultivate it every day.
“Faith isn’t built in a day,” she said. “Faith is a gift from God, and faith is what gives you the ability to stand in front of these challenges, these experiences, in front of these waves.”
Faith. The staple ingredient that has ensured the success of Jewish life for millennia. The very ingredient that ensured the miracle of Purim both by Queen Esther, Mordechai and the Jewish nation of that time.
Faith: the struggle of which we read in this weeks Torah portion as some of the Jews create the golden calf. Perceivably yet erroneously Moses return from upon the mountain was delayed and some lost faith in his return — resulting in the smashing of the Tablets ( read up here if it’s not familiar).
Faith: the hallmark of the Yehudi. A gift from Gd, one that requires constant nurturing and has its ups and its downs.
Faith, it’s not built in a day but it ensures that what is built will live into perpetuity!
Almighty Gd in Heaven, grant respite to Your People Israel. Grant peace and security to those who live in your holy land and may your “roar” continue to the lead us as we continue to follow your ways, nurture our faith and proclaim, “Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad”!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor