HALEVAI

To the world you may be just one person but to one person you may be the world.

 

   As the news was filtering into our homes of the massive rocket shelling that was taking  place in Southern Israel we turned to our Father in Heaven beseeching Him once again to protect our brothers and sisters in our Holy Land. 

  The world seems to be closing in on our glorious and holy state. As Jews, we are sorrowful that there are many  who are making us feel alien and many are acting with ominous feelings against us.  Jewish history today appears to be in turmoil almost on the verge of being apocalyptic.  One, only has to listen to the news, read a newspaper and you get the feeling very quickly of recurrent hatred for the Jew in our society.  However, in spite of these ill feelings I still maintain an optimistic feeling for being a Jew in these difficult times.  There is sense of great meaning impregnating the life of our modern day Jew. Hashem has great plans for us and will continue to motivate us to pursue the goals of being a ממלכת כוהנים וגוי קדוש. 

   One only has to open his spiritual eyes to see that last week we bemoaned the rockets and the harm that took place, and  to move quickly to celebrate  יום העצמאות, only a few days later. The message is clear. We are to recognize the miracle of the existence of עם ישראל, and more so the miracles of all miracles, to celebrate ישוב ארץ ישראל, returning to our Promised Land.

  My question always is, “Do we take this reality for granted or do we finally conclude that this is the אתחלתא דגאולה, and often that which is cherished is not easily gotten?” 

  I am searching for a word to express my conflicting feelings and the word that jumps out to me is, התגברנו על הכל, we overcame all our enemies and we will do so now as well. 

   Remember, זכור, we crawled out from the burning crematoriums of Europe - we won all our wars - with a little bit of nothing we built an empire and we will never be threatened by the beasts of evil in Gaza, or from any other country. 

   With the help of Hashem, we will continue to celebrate יום העצמאות, vocalizing our credo for all to hear   “התגברנו על הכל “, we shall always overcome our enemies, for we are protected by our  נצח ישראל, and by our gallant and courageous men and women in our Jewish Armed Forces.  

   This idea is strengthened by the  Chasam Sofer on the opening words of this week’s Sedrah of Kedoshim. The Torah states;

    קדושים תהיו, Be Holy, and he reflects on the fact that this was instructed to be read at הקהל, a time when all people were gathered together  The idea is simple - to achieve the ultimate Holiness of the Jewish People, we need to have Hakhel, when all Jews act as one. Even though diversity may be present, all Jews feel as one entity. We are to recognize that we are like one body and whenever a Jew is in pain we all feel the pain and yes, we all feel the joy when every Jew celebrates. 

   These are times for a fulfillment of Hakhel, when all Jews begin to realize that we need to unify and in doing so we will achieve our Yeshuah, and our true Geulah Shlemah.

Happy Birthday Israel, Long Shall You Live.

Our greatest victory is yet to be achieved 

the victory of Unity.

 

    Let me conclude by reflecting upon a song that has truly attracted my attention. The song is called Halevai. 

 

Halevai - If Only.

Halevai, if only we won’t suffer and each man will love his brother.   

 Halevai, if only we will renew our days as in ancient times.

Halevai, if only we will never abandon the path of Hope.

Halevai, if only nation will no longer lift sword against nation.

Permit me to use my literary license, of adding words to this song; 

Halevai, if only we will be blessed with peace, and all Jews will be one, living in brotherhood under the Fatherhood of G-D.

 

      

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