Jews all around the world commemorated Tisha B’Av this past week. Traditionally, this day commemorates all the pain and loss that Jews have experienced over the past 3,500 years. So many tragedies have occurred on this date including the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. This year it seemed especially poignant as so many of our brothers and sisters remain in captivity. In addition we are experiencing unprecedented antisemitism around the world, especially in the United States. Yet, on this day of sadness, I felt truly optimistic. I would like to take some time to explain why I see a rainbow in the storm clouds.
On Tisha B’Av night I attended a service where Rabbi Ari Sytner, the brother of beloved Aish Rabbi Tzvi Sytner, spoke movingly about the day. He told the following story that he had heard from the famous psychiatrist, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski zt’l. A woman related that she was at a business meeting and couldn’t watch her favorite football team play an important game. She asked a friend to tape (remember video cassettes) the game and give her the recording. When her friend gave her the tape she said, ‘you’ll love it, they come back to win in the end.’
The woman was asked if she was frustrated that she knew the outcome ahead of time. Her astonishing reply was that she enjoyed watching the game even more. During the suspenseful twists and turns of the game, she remained optimistic because she knew in the end they would win. This, my friends, is how I feel about the historical moments that we are experiencing.
I know in my heart that the Almighty truly loves us with the greatest love imaginable. I know that in the end, He always has our best interest in mind. I know that I don’t always fully understand His plan but He has one, and in the end, it will be fabulous for our people. “Team Jewish People” will win! I just don’t know all the complexities and how they will pan out. I do know that the Almighty has given us many tools to help us along the way and that they have become more prominent recently.
I was so proud of our Aish team for producing the groundbreaking documentary “Voices of Pain, Hope, and Heroism.” It details the events of October 7th from the perspective of five Israeli families. Expertly produced by Rabbi Yaakov Kalla and Rabbi Daniel Rose and phenomenally hosted by Jamie Geller and Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen, the film intimately brings us into a world of pain and inspiration. I found it so personally moving, that when I did an interview about the film with Greta Van Susteren, I got very emotional.
There were so many lessons to be learned from these families. Retired General Noam Tibon, who raced down south to rescue his son and his family, explained how the value of never leaving anyone behind guided his split second decisions along the way to reach his children and grandchildren. He held fast to these values, even though it cost him precious moments, as he saved many lives of those who crossed his path on the way to rescuing his own family. These are the values that the Almighty gave us.
Iris Haim spoke about her precious son, Yotam who was mistakenly killed by IDF soldiers in the fog of war in Gaza. When she heard how broken the soldiers were, she invited the unit to visit her and assured them that not only did she harbor no ill will towards them, but that she loved them. These are the values that the Almighty gave us.
Bar Kuperstein was a medic who was kidnapped by Hamas as he stayed behind to care for the wounded at the Nova Festival. Bar became the primary breadwinner for his family when his father was paralyzed in an accident a few years prior. His mother, Julie Kuperstein, has started a campaign for men to wear Bar’s tefillin as well as the tefillin of the other captive men. Hundreds of Jews have responded and people who don’t generally wear tefillin have committed to wearing the tefillin of the captives every day until they are returned to their families, and perhaps they will continue to wear tefillin even after. These are the values that the Almighty gave us.
Who can forget the scene before the funeral for fallen hero Sgt. Binyamin Airley when his mother led hundreds of Jews in the singing of the prayer Acheinu which talks about Jewish unity. The family has established Binyamin’s House in Safed as a retreat center for anyone suffering from the trauma of war who is in need of a healing environment close to nature. These are the values of the Almighty.
Alon and Sheerie Mesika lost their precious son, Adir at the Nova festival. He gallantly fought the terrorists and saved the life of his girlfriend, Yuli as well as several other friends. Alon is a jeweler and after watching a video of an army wedding he decided to give away a diamond engagement ring to the first soldier who wanted to propose. He has since given away over 100 rings to soldiers so they could get engaged to their soul mates. Alon said during his interview, “This is how we fight back. By building more Jewish homes.” These are the values of the Almighty.
My friends, this documentary is a must see. Watch it over and over. Send it to all of your friends. The secrets of Jewish longevity and survival are contained within. ‘Hero’ seems like too small a word for these Jews. These are Jewish warriors who are excelling on the battlefield of life. I have no doubt that what you are hearing from around the world is scary right now. Still we must remember that if we stay true to our Jewish values, we will emerge victorious. Jewish love will conquer hate every day of the week. Let us focus on loving each other and the Almighty as we march onward to a glorious, inspirational existence.
