From the Rabbi

In the midst of World War II, in his first speech as Prime Minister on May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill spoke about blood, toil, tears and sweat. His words, likely, were reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt’s words in 1897, when he said, “In the past, the nation has triumphed because of the blood and sweat and tears, the labor of anguish, through which, in the days that have gone, our forefathers moved on to triumph.”

This year, we are transitioning from the year 5784 to 5785. The word that makes the year 5784 in Hebrew is תשפ׳׳ד  (Teshaped), which means to stab as with a skewer or a spear. Unfortunately, 5784 lived up to its name. We were stabbed in the gut on Oct. 7, right at the beginning of the Hebrew year. Israel and the Jewish people are still defending their lives on Israel’s borders, on American campuses, and on streets throughout the world.

Interestingly, the year 5785 that we are entering תשפ׳׳ה (teshapeh) means to compensate for a damage, to make smooth, to fix, to beautify. Let us say earnestly this year, perhaps as we never before have said it: “Let the year end with its curses, and let the new year begin with its blessings.”

We have long struggled with birth pangs.  But G-d tells us in the prophecy of Isaiah (60:22) in this week’s Haftorah, no matter how long the struggle, “Be’ita achishena.” In its time, I will hurry it. There will be no more “Hamas,” no more violence, no more stealing, no more stealing and capturing human beings. It is believed that before the time of the messiah, there shall be war and suffering (Ezekiel 38:16). But in Deuteronomy 30:3, we read, “Then G-d will release you from captivity and will take you back in love.” He will hasten that day of triumph.

Although some rabbis believe that G-d has set aside a specific date for the coming of the messiah, most suggest that the messiah will come in a time when most needed, either because the generation is totally innocent or totally guilty — a generation that loses hope, or a generation when children are disrespectful towards parents and elders. This means that the conduct of mankind will determine the time of the messiah’s coming and the bringing about of political and spiritual redemption.  Therefore, the mitzvah of teshuva is also key.

But is there a practical way to hasten the coming of the messiah? In fact, yes: In the Jerusalem Talmud (Ta’anit 1:1), Rabbi Levi said, “If Israel would keep one Shabbat following its rules, David’s son would immediately come.  …By keeping the Sabbath and staying put you will be freed.”  A tradition in the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbat 118b) “Rabbi Yoḥanan said.. “If only the Jewish people would keep two Shabbatot in accordance with their halakhot, they would be immediately redeemed…”

This year, we have the perfect opportunity to hasten the arrival — and so suggests my Messiah Campaign. Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat. Yom Kippur being itself a double Shabbat — Shabbat Shabbaton — makes it three Shabbatot in one.  So, there is no excuse! We know that most Jews observe Yom Kippur. But this year, let’s all do it more fervently. Let’s fast together. Let’s be together without animosity. Let’s observe Yom Kippur as we should and hasten the arrival. Isn’t it worth a try?

Shana Tova to all the Jewish people.

— Rabbi Gadi Capela

On Tu B’Av, the Jewish day of love, I attended a wonderful event honoring Israel Defense Forces soldiers. Shul members Julie Levi and Richard Blau hosted a beautiful dinner for a group of 20 soldiers, who had come from Israel to Fire Island for a week of therapy and relaxation after fighting in Gaza and elsewhere — soldiers who’ve seen many traumatic events, young soldiers who risk their lives to defend the Jewish people. Love is to give.  As they give the Jewish people their body and soul, we want to give them peace of mind, from fire on the battlefield to relaxing on Fire Island.

Many IDF soldiers were rushed into battle in the aftermath of the most heinous attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The destruction, the sights of families murdered in their homes, will stay with them forever. Based on experience, the estimation is that 80% of them will suffer to some degree from post-traumatic stress.

The program is part of the Metiv Israel Psychodrama Center in Jerusalem, in partnership with Jewish communities worldwide to strengthen emotional and mental wellbeing. Now, these young men and women will have the opportunity to participate in the Peace of Mind program on Fire Island. The distance from Israel and the outpouring of communal support during this phase of the therapeutic process play a crucial role in creating a safe, quiet and supportive environment, where participants can let their guard down to fully engage in this healing process.

Moses reminds us never to forget that we are part of a greater community of giving and receiving.  Being grateful is to remember that others did good things for us.  Doing bad in the eyes of G-d is when we forget. When G-d is good to Israel, He remembers them and the covenant. We want the soldiers to forget certain things, while we want to remember their sacrifice. In the words of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Zt”l, “These are the soldiers who give Israel peace of mind. So friends, it is our duty to help them find their peace of mind.”

May we remember, love, and give…

—Rabbi Gadi Capela

Dear members and friends,

I was saddened and troubled by the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump, and for the death and injuries of the other participants in the rally that was held in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. We all need to be aware and concerned. Many countries in the world are going through election seasons now, and the atmosphere is tense, which many believe is adding to the growing violence in our own society and in the world.  But political assassinations render the democratic process null.

Jewish communities must be united and firm about this, regardless of anyone’s political stance. History has shown that no matter what the reason for instability, Jews and other minorities are the first to be affected. In the Talmud, Rabbi Haninah urged people to pray “b’shloma shel malchut — for the peace of the government – for if not for the fear of it, humans would swallow each other alive.” (Pirkei Avot 3:2)  In our case, the peace of the government is the stability of the Constitution and the democratic process.

Our rabbis elaborate on Rabbi Hanina’s comment by referring to the prophet Habakuk, who reflects on the human condition: “Ta’aseh adam kidgei hayam — You have made humans like the fish of the sea,” meaning that just as bigger fish in the sea eat the smaller ones, so stronger people who dominate “swallow” the weak.

Ironically, one of Donald Trump’s insidious proclamations in January 2016 was, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” An unacceptable remark, to be sure. It offended me, as it did many others. I hope he now understands the power of words. Chachamim, hizaharu bedivrachem — the wise should be cautious with their words.  G-d will turn your words back to you. Even the president of the United States possesses human vulnerability.

In the mendacity of life, not everything can be explained. At the Trump rally, one millimeter determined “who will live and who will die.” We can secure ourselves with all protections, secret service or revealed, but King David in Psalm 117 tells us, “Better to depend on Adonai than to trust in mortals; better to depend on Adonai than to trust in the powerful.”

Assassinations, from President John F. Kennedy in 1963 in Dallas, through Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination in 1995 in Tel Aviv, marked some of the most serious traumas in the lives of our countries. Let us thank God that such a scenario was avoided at the Trump rally, and let us pray for our country, as we do every Shabbat: “Our God and God of our ancestors, we ask Your blessings for our country — for its government, for its leaders and advisers, and for all who exercise just and rightful authority…May this land, under your Providence, be an influence for good throughout the world, uniting all people in peace and freedom…”

May God keep and protect the stability of the United States of America.

—Rabbi Gadi Capela