Let the floods of hope help us in this time of confusion.
We have emerged from a time of renewal, yet we continue to face unforeseen challenges. Violence, hate, lies, and continued demonization while the war continues to rage. Luckily we are witness to the miracle of a Jewish state and army able to take preventative action to defend the rights of all of Israel and her citizens. To the miracles of our defense against Iran and their terror elements embedded everywhere around us. To the unparalleled expression of commitment we are seeing in our soldiers, and the endless hope that we may indeed show the world we are fighting this war for the sake of all that is good and just.
Sadly, this comes at the cost of many fallen, even more traumatized, and growing compassion fatigue as our hearts teeter on the brink of despair at the state of the world.
Indeed, we did dance with our Torahs while tears streamed down our faces and our hearts bursting with renewed pain. How could a year possibly have passed since that awful terrible day of slaughter? Yet we know that it is a dance we have been dancing for 2000 years in every generation of persecution we have endured, and it is our responsibility to carry onward, to dance forward and hope that time will heal our wounds and those of the thousands suffering worse pain than our own whose agony we cannot comprehend.
The families of the fallen and of the hostages are a continuous reminder of our fragility and our resilience. And from them, we learn, and we close our eyes and pray for some comfort for their aching souls as we all pray for our brethren still captive by the evil of an indifferent world.
Tonight is Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, marking the start of a unique month in the Jewish calendar. Cheshvan is distinct because it is the only month without any festivals or holy days, often earning the name "Marcheshvan"—with mar meaning "bitter." After an intense period filled with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and the spiritual peak of Simchat Torah, it can feel as though we've entered a quieter, perhaps even empty time, with no chagim to sustain the spiritual momentum until Chanukah in Kislev.
However, there’s a hidden message in the name itself. The letters of mar (מר), when reversed, spell ram (רם), meaning "exalted" or "elevated." This suggests that Marcheshvan is actually a month of great potential. With no chagim to structure our connection to God, we have a unique opportunity to deepen our Jewish identity and relationship with Him on our own, outside the usual framework of holidays and mitzvot.
Where last month offered abundant opportunities to connect with community through synagogue gatherings and festive celebrations, this month may seem quieter. Yet, that quietness is a perfect opening for us, as Israel Forever Ambassadors, to take proactive steps in strengthening our communities. Without the busy calendar of synagogue events, now is the time to create meaningful gatherings of your own. Consider organizing a Healing Hearts event to support Israelis who are struggling or displaced, reaching out to those who have been unable to return to their homes for over a year.
In a month that may feel devoid of light, let us each become a beacon. Be the inspiration and bring the warmth of connection to your community. Reach out to us if you’d like guidance or support in setting up an event; we’re here to help you make an impact. This Cheshvan, let’s transform the quiet into something truly exalted.
The Torah uses the word mabul for flood, which connects deeply to the Hebrew word bilbul—confusion. The world at that time was filled with confusion and moral corruption.
For 120 years, as Noach built the ark, people looked on, questioning, doubting, unwilling to believe or heed his warning. They carried on in their blindness, lost in a fog of disbelief, not realizing, or being willing to accept the warnings, about the storm that was about to come.
Today, Am Yisrael finds itself in a similar state of chaos, fighting to stay afloat amidst a world that seems to misunderstand and misjudge us. We are faced with a tide of opposition, battling not just physical threats but waves of misinformation and a confusing disregard for the truth.
Yet, the story of Noach doesn't end in despair. It ends with a dove—a symbol of peace—returning with an olive branch, a promise that the storms would calm and a new beginning would dawn. Like Noach, if we can hold steadfast to what is true and what is right, if we stay anchored in our faith and our unity, we too will see the calm after this storm. Am Yisrael is here to stay, and we will witness days of peace, even if the waters rise before us. We all are a part of the fight against the evil of the world.
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