The recent events in Israel are very disconcerting and we are praying for those under attack who have to keep running to their bomb shelters.  Our hearts go out to those who are undergoing these harrowing attacks and living in these dangerous times. 

Complexity exists in our beloved Israel. The Muslim Brotherhood instigated riots on the Temple Mount as part of Ramadan.  Jewish activists then aggravated the situation by claiming property in Arab East Jerusalem. The Hamas organization in Gaza decided to support the rioters by shooting over 1000 rockets into Central Israel.  Arab and Jewish riots began in cities across the country. Arab rioters have blocked many of the major highways and burned down numerous synagogues.

The Israeli military has two major objectives. One is to quell the civil disturbances inside the country. Second is to inflict heavy damage on the infrastructure of Hamas and eliminate much of its top leadership, especially in technology and intelligence.  The situation is very unstable. The Israeli Army is beginning to mobilize reserves, but decisions are hard to make because of the delicate political situation in Israel today. 

It is very important for American Jews to stand with Israel at this critical moment, and to pray for peace.  In our tradition, we often read this prayer.  We also recall:

           וְכִתְּת֨וּ חַרְבֹתֵיהֶ֜ם לְאִתִּ֗ים וַחֲנִיתֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת לֹֽא־יִשְׂא֞וּ גּ֤וֹי אֶל־גּוֹי֙ חֶ֔רֶב וְלֹא־יִלְמְד֥וּן ע֖וֹד מִלְחָמָֽה

          “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

We can also can make donations to the Magen David Adom: Click Here.

And to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF): Click Here.

May this Shabbat be filled with more peace in our hearts and may we send support to “Am Yisrael” the people of Israel and to all who are suffering due the current unrest.

Shabbat Shalom,

Cantor Amy E Levy