Al Kol Eleh-Naomi Shemer’s song to her widowed sister- a song of hope as we continue to pray for the return of the hostages and for peace.
Shabbat Shalom
“Please do not uproot the planted, Do not forget the hope Bring me back and I shall return to the good land” It is spring outside, Passover is approaching, but our lips still struggle to say “Happy Holidays”. We were looking for words of encouragement and comfort, and we found them in the song “Al Kol Eleh”, Over All These, the words of encouragement that Naomi Shemer wrote to her widowed sister. We were joined by the musicians of the IDF Orchestra, conducted by Major Rom Shamir. We hope the line “Bring me back and I shall return” is heard and that our hostages return soon.
The end of World War 2 came at a significant human cost. Eisenhower continued to bomb cities in Germany so that the Germans knew with certainty they had lost. Not one, but two atomic bombs were dropped on Japanese cities, unleashing their death and destruction. And yet many did not put down their arms. 5,000 Japanese soldiers refused to surrender at the war’s conclusion, remaining loyal to their oath to the Emperor, the deeply ingrained values of Bushido, emphasis on honor, and self-sacrifice at their core.
There may be invaluable lessons from the Japanese fighters who held out even after the war ended when dealing with Hamas.
To understand the fighters loyal to Hamas, we must understand the profound philosophical, existential commitment to the idea of fighting to regain the land perceived as stolen. Leaders with bona fides that these Hamas fighters will respect must arise and offer a different path forward. This can initiate a process where, eventually, those committed to Israel’s obliteration will be overcome by those committed to a peace wherein both sides live in safety and security, side by side.
The sheer brutality of the current war in Gaza would, under normal circumstances, make any leader want to stop the suffering of the people and compromise in the name of peace. However, Hamas is not normal circumstances. The human suffering they use in the service of their ideology is perfectly acceptable to them and is, in point of fact, one of the weapons they have employed in dealing with the Palestinians and the hostages.
Similarly, the hatred on the Israeli side of the equation is equally brutal. The invasion of October 7 was viscerally felt as an existential moment. Hatred and the desire for revenge only build with the cynical bargaining chip that is the hostages. As those lives hang in the balance, Israelis must also find courageous leaders to lead their people to peace.
One of the few things made clear is the current situation is a meat grinder consuming human victims with impunity. This is morally and ethically reprehensible. Moderating voices must arise to quell this war machine and find a better path forward.
There will be those who see victory only as the destruction and capitulation of the enemy. It is an unrealistic goal. The price is astronomically high in lives lost and is ultimately unachievable. These ideologues and zealots must be marginalized. It may take generations for this view of the world to fade away, and only with perseverance and strength can we support those seeking a way forward that can permit a peaceful coexistence to form.
Naomi Shemer penned this anthem, expressing our longing for the sacredness of Jerusalem. Rabbi Angela Buchdal and Cantor Dan Mutlu share their extraordinary voices to sing Yerushalim Shel Zahav.
May the sacredness and promise of Jerusalem live, peace come to the region, and our hostages are returned home.
A colleague shared ideas in a forum, ending with the words “unrepentantly Zionist and Politically Incorrect.”
He proudly resisted, and while I value his essential work and support as a rabbi, I wonder if he, like many of us, is “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” Now is the time for nuance, to stand up for our core values, and to eliminate much of the noise that makes those values challenging to embrace. Backlash often lacks focus; now, focus on our values is needed more than ever.
I am a Zionist. But my Zionism is a belief in identity and rights to a safe and secure place to call one’s own. It is precisely my Zionism that compels me to understand this same need for the Palestinian people. Both are true; I must accept the other to validate the one. Before railing against this, let me reiterate that this modern Zionism is premised on both people having the right to safety and security. That requires people to be committed to peaceful coexistence, which requires serious and difficult compromises from each side.
Another colleague, friend, and teacher commented on the so-called Black Lives Matter movement. He is appalled by their alliance with radical pro-Palestinian groups that are also anti-Israel. I agree that they have betrayed their righteous cause of equality under the law. This is another instance where a core idea is co-opted, diluted, and ultimately betrayed by those with different political agendas. However, we cannot allow these individuals to deter us from our core belief in equality for everyone and our commitment to working with others to realize the promise of our nation’s founding principles.
Navigating through the fog is a significant challenge, but it is what we are trained to do. Our tradition of Makhloket l’Shem Shamayim, argument for the sake of Heaven, revolves around how our values are understood when tested under various circumstances. This is precisely the challenge we face today. Whether we agree with our government’s current policies and procedures is an essential but separate conversation; how these impact our cherished beliefs should be our focus. Our fundamental values of caring, including feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, and caring for the widow and orphan, are constantly threatened, now evermore so. Therefore, the need to champion our beliefs has never been more crucial.
The Prayer, is a duet shared by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis. I hope it helps you to enter Shabbat comforted by divinely inspired music and lyrics.
Shabbat Shalom
Let us pray for the hostages scheduled to be returned tomorrow and that those remaining in captivity will come home soon.
Color shot of a vintage draughts or checkers board game.
On the checkboard of foreign policy, we are careening to a terrible end.
Hamas’ delay of the planned hostage release this week, combined with the horrible physical condition of the returned hostages, outraged Trump to set a Saturday deadline for the return of all hostages or else. Netanyahu, already under internal pressure, has now threatened the resumption of brutal war in Gaza. This leaves two options for Hamas: capitulate to the threats or defy them. Defiance likely would be killing some or all of the hostages.
Although Hamas does not respect human life, sending the message of defiance is the only opportunity to demonstrate resilience and, in the opinions of many, victory. The hostages and the Palestinians will be readily sacrificed in the name of ideology.
This is a dangerous game, ultimately without winners, only losers. Hopefully, leaders will step forward to pull back from the precipice. This requires courage, a bold vision for moving forward, and the support of countries genuinely interested in peace.
Well, Punxsutawney Phil can have his shadow, but we celebrate the 15th day of Shevat. This holiday has a fascinating history. With roots in the Bible, Tu BiShvat evolved from a biblical prohibition against eating fruit before its bearing tree is three years old into a celebration of trees, the early signs of spring, and awareness of the world we live in.
To learn more, check out this article on MyJewishLearning.com https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-ideas-beliefs/
And here are the Shvesters sharing a Yiddish song about a tree, a boy who loved it, and his Jewish Mother.
Although there is not a Genocide happening in Gaza, there is devastating suffering and death.
It can be stopped immediately. Declare peace. Accept the existence of Israel and Return the hostages. You can immediately focus on building a State of Palestine, and most of the world’s nations, including Israel, will support the enterprise. Outside forces of hegemony and oppression (Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah) that have imposed themselves are back on their heels, allowing Palestinians an opportunity for self-determination that has not been seen since 2000 at Camp David.
This is a pragmatic solution. Israel exists. Whether you question Israel’s legitimacy will not make the nation go away. Remaining belligerent only continues the harm to both Israelis and Palestinians. Negotiations are fraught. Negotiating requires leaving some things behind in exchange for other things we determine are more critical. Peace and a Sovereign State would be two extraordinary wins for the Palestinians. Peace is the only way for our children to know something beyond hatred and death.
Naomi Shemer is the poet who created Al Kol Eleh, All These Things, a bittersweet and timely song. As Yonina shares her music, let us continue to pray for the hostages to come home and for peace.
Here we are, Celebrating Simchat Torah and welcoming Shabbat, but even this moment of joy is a challenge. We pray for the hostages to be returned and for peace.
Peri Smilow shares Debbie Friedman’s Those Who Sow based in Psalm 126.
