MAY 24, 2024 / 16 IYAR 5784
To All Jewish Community Leaders, both in the Diaspora and in the Land of Israel,
May this letter find you in good health and in a state of ever-growing faith and commitment to HaShem. I write to you with a heart full of concern and hope, seeking to address a matter of profound significance for our people and our relationship with the Divine.
In recent times, our collective focus has been deeply entrenched in portraying our victimhood and seeking solutions through our own perceived strength. We have become consumed by the narrative of our suffering, yet we have neglected to ask the fundamental question: why has HaShem directed these actions towards us? As it is written, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Eicha 3:38). Our responses often reflect a people seemingly without God, relying on military might and human strategies, forgetting the core of our existence as the chosen people of HaShem.
HaShem, in His infinite wisdom, has always guided us through His divine plan and providence. As it is stated, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6). Our history is replete with instances where our true strength lay not in our physical might, but in our unwavering faith and trust in HaShem. From the miraculous exodus from Egypt to the divine victories of our forefathers, it has always been our spiritual fortitude and adherence to HaShem’s commandments that have brought us salvation.
We must ask ourselves, “What does HaShem require of us in these times?” As it is written, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Devarim 10:12). It is not the reliance on our own power, but a return to the core values of Torah – to be a holy nation, distinct and set apart, embodying justice, compassion, and integrity. The true battle we face is not on the external frontiers, but within our gates, within our hearts, minds, and souls.
As leaders, it is our sacred duty to guide our communities back to the path of righteousness and trust in HaShem. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Mishlei 3:5). We must stand down from the pursuit of human solutions alone and embrace the divine wisdom that has sustained us for millennia. This is not a call to passivity, but to active faith – to be a people of God who think differently, act justly, and live in holiness.
We are called to be a light unto the nations, to demonstrate that our true strength comes from our relationship with HaShem. As it is written, “For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Devarim 20:4). It is through Torah study, ethical conduct, and a life dedicated to divine service that we will find our true purpose and security. Let us lead by example, showing that our trust is in HaShem alone and not in the transient might of human power.
Furthermore, the words of Tehillim resonate deeply with our current situation: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Tehillim 20:8). Our ancestors knew that their victories came not from their own strength but from HaShem’s support and intervention. It is incumbent upon us to remember and internalize this lesson in our own time.
Let us not forget the timeless wisdom of the Nevi’im, who continuously reminded us of our covenant with HaShem and the importance of following His ways. Yeshayahu proclaims, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Yeshayahu 30:15). This prophetic guidance is as relevant today as it was then, calling us to turn back to HaShem with complete faith and reliance on His providence.
As leaders of the Jewish community, we must embody these values and inspire our people to do the same. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Yirmeyahu 29:11). By fostering a community rooted in Torah, emunah (faith), and bitachon (trust in HaShem), we can navigate these challenging times with strength and dignity.
May we merit to see the fulfillment of the prophetic vision, where nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and the knowledge of HaShem will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Yeshayahu 11:9; Micah 4:3). Let us return to HaShem with all our hearts, and in doing so, inspire our people to do the same.