Motzei Shabbat

This has been a terrible two weeks. Since the unimaginable atrocities that were unleashed on unsuspecting families in their homes early on the Shabbat of 7th October 2023, my heart has been very heavy and many tears have been shed and prayers said.

It just doesn't feel like nearly enough.

So we just do what we find in front of us to do: Pray. Mitzvot. Tsedeqah. Teshuvah.

Today was a particularly difficult day, I'm not sure why. I cried a lot for Israel and the suffering innocents and the needless death of good young men and women in the fight for Israel's survival. I slept a lot, not knowing what else to do with my sore heart.

We believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob hears our heartfelt prayers for Israel in all the facets that we're praying for her. The Lion of Judah will defend His people.

The first two Torah portions of this new cycle, Bereshit & Noach, also speak directly to the way the world has changed in the last 2 weeks. Hamas is all over the Scriptures.

Just here in my little neighbourhood, a few nights ago, we heard 10 loud gunshots. The community group lit up with messages. We heard the next morning that a husband had shot - or had someone shoot - his wife. 10 times! And that at a church after choir practice. How awful. Hamas is not limited to Israel, even now.

After our daily prayer meeting for Israel, my heart settled. Shortly, I will close my day with prayer and commit my neshama into God's hands, asking Him for sweet sleep and resurrection in the morning. There are too many people in Israel who will never wake up in the morning again. Let us not waste a minute of the time we are given by Almighty God.

Layla tov