Many Jewish people have spent the last several days feeling very alone. It seems, in moments of crisis, that the world is against us, or indifferent to the suffering of Jews, especially in "strong" Israel.
But as of Monday evening, support is pouring in from around the world. First and foremost from the Abraham Accords allies -- the UAE and Bahrain. Then from -- of all people -- Barack Obama.
Obama's support was very important because it wasn't just about peace, or mourning the loss of life. Obama explicitly endorsed the idea of "dismantl[ing]" Hamas. That's a big change for him.
It also guarantees victory. It means that there will be bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S., and little space between U.S. and Israeli policy. The alliance, in spite of everything, has come through.
Trump gets credit for setting the example: stand with Israel, and our shared enemies fall. Support Israel in war, and reap the benefits of peace. Biden has belatedly come around (as in other areas).
Many people are attending mournful prayers -- and there is much to mourn. But after crying off and on for the past few days, I feel that victory is certain, and peace inevitable. It will be hard, but it will BE.
On Sunday, I left my desk to go back to the synagogue to participate in the hakafot -- the parades in which we carry the Torah scrolls to celebrate completing Deuteronomy and starting anew in Genesis.
One of the parades traditionally leaves the synagogue and heads outside -- in our community, to the beach. I usually love that one; one year, I carried a Torah scroll half a mile away, down the sand.
Side note: I actually found some Jews way down there, who did not know it was the holiday of Simchat Torah. They asked to hold the Torah; they kissed it. It was a little miracle that I found them there.
This year, I did not feel like singing, or dancing, or even carrying a Torah. But I brought an Israeli flag and unfurled it at the side of the Pacific Coast Highway. I held it up, tears streaming down my face.
And the cars honked. And the people waved. And the motorcycle engines revved and roared in approval. And the people of liberal Los Angeles California showed their love and their support for Israel.
And the people of our little congregation, who felt so embattled, carried the Torah scrolls back to our synagogue with pride, because they felt loved. And so we witnessed another little miracle. Onward.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
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