Jews cannot forget that we are jews because the world always reminds us of that fact. In His covenant with Abraham, He says that the world will be divided into those who curse us and those who praise us. He didn't mention that most would hate us. The Shema is the ultimate cry in overwhelming circumstances - there is Purpose.
There is truth in what you say and I love your last sentence. But I push back on your premise which is too pat. The world isnt split in 2 regarding the Jewish people. . It is much more complicated. There is also much indifference to us and many who would praise us but do not know us and a lot of embedded cultural anti-semitism in those who do not know us. And there is so much more. I was an assimilated Jew whose faith was rekindled not only through awareness of hate and the Holocaust, but through a deep sense something very whole and inherited was missing and had been weeded out of my soul like a dandelion, one of the most misunderstood plants on earth.
Love this exchange. Richard-I agree that being the recipients of antipathy and hate has been a powerful mechanism for Jewish identity. Love how you’re framing the Shema as a statement of purpose 🙏 Shabbat shalom!
Now all we can hope is that those who have rejoined the tribe that they never really left, actively join us as a community. Offering strength to one another. We need them.
Wonderful how you grasped and pulled in so many aspects to this. I became much more passionate and stronger Jewishly because of October 7th. I feel ashamed to admit that, but life can overwhelm in other ways through out the years, but this is our core being affected.
Thank you Darlene! And I think that’s human nature..I often find myself craving greater spirituality and then frustrated with myself when the wear and tear of life distracts me from the core of who I want to be..hopefully the moments that remind us can leave lasting effects. Shabbat shalom!
Definitely raises difficult questions for Israelis who strive for a secular national identity. October 7th was another of many scary reminders that, to the enemy, we are always and forever Jews. Some of us respond by being more loudly and proudly Jewish, others not 🤷🏻♀️
Wondering how this squares with the 2026 intro. In Jewish time, we're after Chanukah and weeks before Tu B'Shvat let alone the real time of new beginnings : Pesach. Now is a season of quiet perseverance in the relative dark, not a time for fresh starts. Why start such a Jewish piece nodding to a foreign system? (credit to @bohemianbalabusta on instagram for her recent post on this which helped me clarify what I already thought and felt)
I’ve been encouraged by reports and data of a spiritual renaissance in israel post Oct 7.
That’s such a good question, Malka! I guess living in the US saying happy 2026 feels less like a foreign system and more like a social/civic greeting that reflects a lot of our reality -like federal holiday, offices closed etc. I don’t celebrate New Year’s but I haven’t thought of acknowledging it in the same foreign way as, say, marking Halloween or Christmas. But great question and I’ll keep thinking on it -
Jacob couldnt see but he could hear and his sons, plagued by evil deeds, cover-ups and manipulation, ultimately owned up at the toughest moments, came together in unity as siblings for common purpose....
It is a calling, an echo through time.
What a beautiful tieing together of these thoughts from biblical to the present.
How wonderful Jews are rooted to our forefathers and mothers in ways that can help us in the present if only we keep those roots well watered.
And yes, I think a lot about those final moments and how those siblings went though so much and hated each other so much but were able to come together at the end. Wishing you a Shabbat shalom!
Im a Jewish doctor who works night shift. I am called to make death pronouncements on the medical wards from time to time when a patient passes away during my shift. I will often say the mourners kaddish in my head, whether the patient is Jewish or not. It just feels like the right thing to do. But maybe the Shema is just as appropriate, as we all are made in the image of Gd.
Jews cannot forget that we are jews because the world always reminds us of that fact. In His covenant with Abraham, He says that the world will be divided into those who curse us and those who praise us. He didn't mention that most would hate us. The Shema is the ultimate cry in overwhelming circumstances - there is Purpose.
There is truth in what you say and I love your last sentence. But I push back on your premise which is too pat. The world isnt split in 2 regarding the Jewish people. . It is much more complicated. There is also much indifference to us and many who would praise us but do not know us and a lot of embedded cultural anti-semitism in those who do not know us. And there is so much more. I was an assimilated Jew whose faith was rekindled not only through awareness of hate and the Holocaust, but through a deep sense something very whole and inherited was missing and had been weeded out of my soul like a dandelion, one of the most misunderstood plants on earth.
Well said, you have added much nuance to my comment. Thank you.
Love this exchange. Richard-I agree that being the recipients of antipathy and hate has been a powerful mechanism for Jewish identity. Love how you’re framing the Shema as a statement of purpose 🙏 Shabbat shalom!
Speaking of Purpose, here is a new article I wrote regarding human purpose https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/replace-tikkun-olam-with-%d7%a9%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a8%d7%94-%d7%a2%d7%9c-%d7%94%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%90%d7%94-guarding-caring-for-creation/
Speaking of Purpose, here is a new article I wrote regarding human purpose https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/replace-tikkun-olam-with-%d7%a9%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a8%d7%94-%d7%a2%d7%9c-%d7%94%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%90%d7%94-guarding-caring-for-creation/
Spot on!
Now all we can hope is that those who have rejoined the tribe that they never really left, actively join us as a community. Offering strength to one another. We need them.
Blessings for a joyful and safe 2026.
Yes! This is the hope and the silver lining! Shabbat shalom!
Wonderful how you grasped and pulled in so many aspects to this. I became much more passionate and stronger Jewishly because of October 7th. I feel ashamed to admit that, but life can overwhelm in other ways through out the years, but this is our core being affected.
Thank you Darlene! And I think that’s human nature..I often find myself craving greater spirituality and then frustrated with myself when the wear and tear of life distracts me from the core of who I want to be..hopefully the moments that remind us can leave lasting effects. Shabbat shalom!
True and beautifully written! Happy, Healthy New Year!!
Thank you! Shabbat shalom and happy 2026!
i loved that scene so much. Great article as always!!
Thank you! Shabbat Shalom, Tara!
Praying for the health and well being of my New York Jewish family!
Amen! Thank you, Dany! Shabbat shalom 🙏
Definitely raises difficult questions for Israelis who strive for a secular national identity. October 7th was another of many scary reminders that, to the enemy, we are always and forever Jews. Some of us respond by being more loudly and proudly Jewish, others not 🤷🏻♀️
Wondering how this squares with the 2026 intro. In Jewish time, we're after Chanukah and weeks before Tu B'Shvat let alone the real time of new beginnings : Pesach. Now is a season of quiet perseverance in the relative dark, not a time for fresh starts. Why start such a Jewish piece nodding to a foreign system? (credit to @bohemianbalabusta on instagram for her recent post on this which helped me clarify what I already thought and felt)
Shabbat Shalom
I’ve been encouraged by reports and data of a spiritual renaissance in israel post Oct 7.
That’s such a good question, Malka! I guess living in the US saying happy 2026 feels less like a foreign system and more like a social/civic greeting that reflects a lot of our reality -like federal holiday, offices closed etc. I don’t celebrate New Year’s but I haven’t thought of acknowledging it in the same foreign way as, say, marking Halloween or Christmas. But great question and I’ll keep thinking on it -
Jacob couldnt see but he could hear and his sons, plagued by evil deeds, cover-ups and manipulation, ultimately owned up at the toughest moments, came together in unity as siblings for common purpose....
It is a calling, an echo through time.
What a beautiful tieing together of these thoughts from biblical to the present.
How wonderful Jews are rooted to our forefathers and mothers in ways that can help us in the present if only we keep those roots well watered.
Thank you Amy!
And yes, I think a lot about those final moments and how those siblings went though so much and hated each other so much but were able to come together at the end. Wishing you a Shabbat shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
שבת שלום
Shabbat shalom!
Im a Jewish doctor who works night shift. I am called to make death pronouncements on the medical wards from time to time when a patient passes away during my shift. I will often say the mourners kaddish in my head, whether the patient is Jewish or not. It just feels like the right thing to do. But maybe the Shema is just as appropriate, as we all are made in the image of Gd.
Thank you Mijal!
I recently went to Israel for the first time and now I want a second home there! I am like over the top with the connection though.