* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
On October 7, we are reminded that throughout history we have emerged from every crisis and tragedy, guided by the hope and optimism of our ancient faith.
“To be a Jew is to be an agent of hope.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes.
“Every ritual, every command, every syllable of the Jewish story is a protest against escapism, resignation and the blind acceptance of fate. Judaism, the religion of the free God, is a religion of freedom.
Jewish faith is written in the future tense. It is belief in a future that is not yet but could be, if we heed God’s call, obey his will, and act together as a covenantal community. The name of the Jewish future is hope. Somehow, in a way I find mysterious and moving, the Jewish people wrote a story of hope that has the power to inspire all who dare to believe that injustice and brutality are not the final word about the human condition, that faith can be more powerful than empires, that love given is not given in vain, that ideals are not illusions to give us comfort, but candles to light our way along a winding road in the dark night without giving way to fear or losing a sense of direction.”
This comforting passage appears in the booklet “Healing the Heart – Faith and Comfort in Times of Crisis,” which I had the privilege of editing after October 7. To date, ia quarter of a million copies have been distributed in Hebrew and English.
If you would like to receive the booklet, in Hebrew or English, in honor of these days of remembrance, write to: [email protected]
