Rabbi’s Shabbat Message

The Jewish Approach to a Chaotic Week!

What a week it’s been! It started with Bashar Assad and his family escaping Syria, the heightened (and hopeful) talks of a hostage release deal, the return of many Jewish communities back to their homes in Northern Israel and the second outrageous antisemitic attack in Woollahra in Sydney on the back of what happened Friday at Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

We owe a great big “thanks” to Premier Chris Minns. Not only for his steadfast support and gracious address in Shule last Friday night, but for his visible outrage and swift response to the attack on our streets. Upon hearing about the incident, the Premier immediately cleared his diary to attend the site and take action. Thank you Mr Minns, you have stood out amongst the Labor Party, proving to be reliable, determined and resolute in your support of Australian Jewry and Israel.

This week marked another day for history books. After 52 years of tyrannical rule, the Assad regime has crumbled overnight paving the way for Israeli forces to cross into Syria, finally able to carry out a crucial security mission they have planned for the past decade.

The strikes, which began Saturday night, aimed to prevent advanced weaponry from reaching hostile groups like Hezbollah. The IDF struck 320 strategic targets across Syria in an operation called “Bashan Arrow”, destroying the strategic capabilities that threaten Israel, including naval vessels and the very same chemical and biological weapons Syria has previously used on its own civilian population.

This is all being done with ZERO resistance. Israel has eliminated 80 percent of the former Assad regime’s military capabilities, thereby destroying the Syrian army as we know it. The same army that attacked us in 1967 and 1973. The army that sent weapons and money to Hezbollah, the army that had nuclear aspirations, the army that was an ally of the Iranian regime, and part of its so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel. The entire threat is gone. GONE.

In other words, Israel has sent Syria back to the stone ages. It is now a small weak country. One week ago, I couldn’t even imagine this scenario.

I think this brings home a few key truths: Firstly, radical Islamic terrorism will always lose. Secondly, it is possible to bring a strong evil regime down from within. And finally, as voices like Hillel Fuld’s often remind us, Israel consistently demonstrates that when it knows what needs to be done, it does it better and fairer than ANY army in the world, with no exceptions.

This week, you would be forgiven for feeling as though the whole world has gone mad. Allow me to offer a Jewish perspective on recent events, to help you make sense of the chaos. History is unfolding before our very eyes, and with it, changes of biblical proportions. We are witnessing a process with a clear direction and purpose. Our job is to show the world how to distinguish between good and evil, pure and impure, light and dark. Those who participate in this mission will be blessed, but those who interfere with this process will be relegated to the trash heap of history.

Sounds dramatic? It is! Do we remember the president of Iran who was killed in a plane crash? The explosive pager attack targeting Hezbollah? The elimination of Nasralla? Sinwar’s elimination in Gaza? Not to mention the countless clandestine operations we will never hear about.

We must acknowledge the efforts and courage of all those involved who brought about these changes, and to recognize the complexity, bravery, sacrifice, and emotional toll filled with pain and hope. And finally, it is essential that we remain humble and hold on to our faith. The time is now friends, to continue to pray for a good outcome, and to strengthen our connection to Yiddishkeit by Torah study, shule attendance, laying teffilin, candle lighting and more.

Speaking of candles, we are now in the midst of Kislev—the month in which we celebrate Chanukah— the festival of lights. Here is your opportunity to help spread the light. Chanukah reminds us of the importance of preserving our identity, and that there can be victories and salvations, miracles and wonders, not only “in those days” but also in “these days.” As Sivan Rahav-Meir writes, “The Maccabees didn’t realize while fighting the Greeks that their victory would be celebrated with a new holiday. Fifty years from now, how will we look back on the days we are going through now? How will you help spread the light?.”

Tonight we have a special and uplifting musical event in support of our brothers and sisters in Israel. “Unite for Israel” featuring Eitan Katz kicks off at 8pm. Tickets still available events.humantix.com/eitan-katz.

If you miss tonight’s concert, be sure to come to Shule next Friday December 20 for our famous Central Musical Soulful Shabbat. There are loads of magical “light filled” Chanukah events not to be missed, so please see our socials and website for details, and I’ll be sure to remind you in our weekly emails.

I hope to see you tomorrow in Shule for a much needed L’Chaim at 5:30pm and our Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00pm.