In the Parasha that we read this week, Lech Lecha, the Torah tells us the story of our patriarch Abraham, an extraordinary person who achieved an essential change for all humanity and whose legacy and tradition will continue for eternity.
God called to Abraham to leave his homeland and his father’s house to head toward the land that God would show him, the Land of Israel, which marked a fundamental starting point in the history of the Jewish people.
More than 4,000 years ago, God promised to deliver the Land of Israel to the people of Israel, a commitment that became a reality when Moses freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. This promise has endured throughout history. Despite the challenges and the numerous empires that have attempted to rule the land of Israel, the Jewish presence in Israel has been constant. The spiritual and emotional connection to this land has persisted, and the return to Israel has become a longing deeply rooted in the heart of the Jewish diaspora.
For the last 2000 years since the destruction of the second holy temple in Jerusalem, we have always prayed 3 times a day facing the land of Israel and asking God for the return to the land. For thousands of years, we have maintained our traditions, customs and the Hebrew language, we have proudly preserved our Jewish identity throughout the world. 75 years ago, this desire became a reality with the creation of the modern State of Israel, a historic milestone that marked the return of the Jewish people to our ancestral homeland with the intention of staying there forever.
Abraham Avinu was always noted for his generous kindness. His willingness to perform acts of kindness to all human beings, and his generosity, has left a deep mark on Jewish tradition. However, when necessary, he did not hesitate to use severity and confront four powerful kingdoms in a war, to rescue his nephew Lot from them. He won the battle and saved Lot, demonstrating that when it comes to protecting his family and defending the land and the Jewish people, the use of the army, power, strength and bravery are necessary.
God’s blessing to Abraham, “whoever blesses you will be blessed and whoever curses you will be cursed,” is a promise of divine protection that has accompanied us as the Jewish people throughout history. Those who try to harm us as Jews, such as the terrorists of Hamas, Hezbolla and all those who support them, will meet their fate and be eliminated, since in the end, justice and security will come. This war is a battle against evil and darkness, a fight that our people have faced with courage and resilience throughout history.
May it be the will of God that all the kidnapped people soon return safely, that all the wounded have complete healing, that the soldiers of the Israeli defense army are protected by the God of Israel and that they have great success. May from heaven God send comfort and strength to all the families who have lost their loved ones.
According to our holy books, after this war, we will have a future of peace and spirituality. An era in which consciousness will be higher, where humanity will be able to develop its maximum spiritual potential and thus be able to live with love, respect and in harmony. These future days are called the days of Mashiach! May we see miracles and wonders and attest the arrival of Mashiach without suffering or pain. AMEN
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Refael Cohen