Rabbi’s Shabbat Message

THE PENNY DROPPED

This morning we saw a different type of protest on the streets of Sydney. NSW Health workers and nurses assembled holding anti-hate signs in a show of outrage, whilst the country is still digesting the bewildering video revealed yesterday of two nurses at Bankstown hospital. If the protests, graffiti, firebombs, burning Shules and burning kindergartens didn’t shock the nation enough, this vile rant certainly has. But it took a young Israeli content creator, Max Veifer, for the penny to drop.

A few days ago, Donald Trump, matter-of-factly stated that if all hostages are not returned by midday this Shabbat “all hell is going to break out.” These words may sound extreme but coming from the most powerful person in the diplomatic world, it suddenly sounds rational. Why should we negotiate with murderous Nazi thugs that demand “humanitarian aid” whilst holding innocent Israelis hostage? How has the world allowed itself to be manipulated and divided by barbaric terrorists?

President Trumps’ statement made us stop, reflect, and realise – he’s right! No more “drips and drabs”. Release ALL hostages now! Sometimes in the midst of chaos, be it negotiating with terrorists or a wave of antisemitism, it is necessary for someone from the outside to step in, step up and let the penny finally drop.

In this week’s Torah portion, we learn about Yitro, a pagan priest who upon hearing about the great miracles Hashem performed for us, becomes an ally and a convert. He sees clearly the difference between the goodness in the Jewish people and the evil of our enemies. Just as Max Veifer pointed out in that viral video that Jews spread peace but these nurses only spread hatred. Yitro says “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods.” He introduces Moses, his son-in-law, to an efficient protocol for adjudicating disputes so that Moses doesn’t exhaust himself by personally judging every legal matter.

Another example where it takes someone from the outside to shake us up and give us the courage to think and act differently. Sometimes we are too close to a situation — whether on a national or individual level — to see the light.

The horrifying testimonies of the three hostages freed this past Shabbat—Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eliahu Sharabi—are devastating. The cruelty they endured was not just shocking; it was pure evil. Although our minds cannot fully grasp the depths of their pain, even a faint picture of their reality is enough to shake us to the core. There is evil, and then there is evil with intention—not just cruelty, but a calculated effort to inflict maximum suffering. We knew. We suspected. But to hear it from the hostages was the penny dropping.

Today we mark Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees. The Torah compares a person to a tree “For man is like the tree of the field.” Why? A tree represents growth. Left alone, it remains rooted in place. But with effort—pruning, nurturing, and care—it can flourish beyond its natural limitations. So too with us. Our instincts and emotions may be fixed, but true transformation happens when we guide our hearts ensuring that our goodness is not just natural but cultivated and elevated.

Against overwhelming evil, our response must be overwhelming goodness. Not just kindness of the heart, but kindness amplified by thoughtfulness—seeking ways to uplift, heal, and strengthen those around us.

Don’t wait for another penny to drop. Tu B’Shevat reminds us if evil can be deliberate, so must goodness. We must nurture our goodness, expand our light, and let it take root and flourish—stronger, deeper, and ever-growing.

We pray for the return of our hostages this Shabbos.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Levi and Chanie Wolff