It may seem strange, but by doing extra mitzvot wherever you live outside of Israel, you are actually helping Israel in so many ways. "A small amount of light dispels a great deal of darkness" [Tanya Ch 12]
Imagine a dark room, no light at all, and then someone lights a candle... one tiny flame can illuminate a very large area.
Following article by Rabbi Simon Jacobson
The greatest and most powerful response to the terror around us is by doubling and tripling our effort in helping those around us. As much as you have done until now, go out of your way and lend your hand to another – financially, emotionally, spiritually – in whatever way possible.
Do something to save a life, and you save not just that life but the life of the entire universe.
Do not stand by as an observer on the sidelines. Act.
Do your thing today to help another person.
Add an additional mitzvah.
Keep Shabbat and Kashrut.
Light a Shabbat candle Friday before sundown.
Study Torah.
Pray.
All people – commit to the universal Divine laws that transform this world into a holier place.
We are not victims or mere observers. Our actions matter now and forever.
Our blood boils when we hear about those that were silent during the Holocaust. When we will be asked one day: “What did you do about the tragic events happening around you?” what will your answer be?
Let us not be left with no answer, or worse yet, an answer that we did nothing. We want to know that we did everything in our power. I know we all feel the same.
Let us create a true revolution.
Let us reconnect to our Divine mission. Let us move heaven and earth with our actions. We have been promised that when we do, we will save the universe – literally.
What can we do on a practical level? Click here to continue reading.
I truly truly hope that this is also for non-Jews, who follow Hashem, and all other good peoples of the earth too.
ReplyDeleteMany non-Jews are there, who do not want to cause hate or enmity with anyone.
Just want to live in peace and harmony with all peoples, and help anyone who needs help.
I am trying in my small capacity to help others, as far as I am able to.
I know other goyims too, who help where they can anyone who needs help in many ways. Hope Hashem looks on them too with blessings. Amen.
Many non Jews praying for the peace of Jerusalem and all Israel.
Even non-Jews are suffering and also being killed in some parts of the world.
Hashem bless all.
Especially at the moment my prayers are for the sufferings of the Jewish people in Israel, and other places in the world.
Even here where i live in - Canada...Jews are being attacked.
God protect all.
Amen and Amen.
And thanks Devorah for your blog.
skala
Of course Skala it includes non Jews, it includes everyone.
ReplyDeleteEvery time we stop ourselves from speaking lashon hora, we are achieving something great. Remove yourself from people who you know will influence you the wrong way. After a while, you begin to feel so much better about everything, when you start to judge people favourably instead of harshly. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt wherever possible. Changing our speech and thinking about things more, instead of instantly judging someone else's actions.... is very beneficial for the soul.
ReplyDeleteYou always make sense.
ReplyDeleteNot being patronizing, just speaking truth.
Hashem bless you Devorah and all your family.
Toda.
skala
Victoria: that clip is a bit violent, some people may find it too much to watch. Just a heads up to anyone about to click on that link from Rabbi Anava.
ReplyDeleteYes Deborah, it is hard to watch, but I think we have to see it out of the respect to all people that were tortured and murdered...
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Victoria some people can't watch. Rabbi Kessin just told us not to watch the news because once you've seen it you can't unsee it and it can affect you.
ReplyDeleteJB
There is no mitzvah to watch disturbing footage or to look at news.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of mitzvos we CAN do that make a real difference, such as prayer, or tzedaka, or offering practical help.
TC
I think it depends on the individual and what role you've taken on in this war. I've seen most of the videos and they are horrifying. If you have strength, you can be a witness. If you're out there doing hasbara and dealing with people who say it never happened, or that we used AI to created images or we're exaggerating, you need to know exactly what happened so you can deal with those deniers. That's why the government sponsored a "showing" for the international media. They had to see. For others, just hearing the accounts is enough.
ReplyDeleteHasbara will work only if Hash-m allows it to.
ReplyDeleteTorah, tefilla, tzedaka, ahavas Yisroel, maasim tovim...
Each word of Tehillim for the captives, the soldiers, the wounded, the bereaved, the leaders (that they should make the right decisions), Am Yisroel...actually does something.
TC
Rabbi Anava's video is "being processed by You Tube"
ReplyDeleteI've never seen that notice before. The full length video is up, but not available to watch yet. It is age restricted, and I doubt if I will view it, although I may listen. That is... if You Tube allows it to be published..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxfZjpHtP6Q