BH
Hello everyone,
Wow! I can’t believe it’s Kislev already! I love Chanukah and the light and warmth it emanates. Chanukah is yet another example of how the Jewish people were persecuted and survived with miracles and wonders. Just think of it: Israel under attack by nations much larger and stronger than them… But nature didn’t win and we survived and are, thank G-d, flourishing in the 21st century, while ancient Greeks are nonexistent. Think of the Six Day War. Think of this past week. Unfortunately, the health of our beautiful land and our brothers in the Holy Land are in danger. When Israel’s health is in danger, our health is in danger as well. Surrounding nations are unified against a speck on the map and the center of the world. It’s them against us.
So what can we do? The Jewish nation is compared to a body, when one hand hurts, it affects the rest of the body. And like a body, medicine given to one part can cure the other. Here’s the prescription:
Jewish Unity. Accept, love and respect Jews of all backgrounds: Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Teimani… Skip the title, we are all created in the image of G-d. Senseless hate destroyed Jerusalem and the holy Bais Hamikdosh. Indiscriminate love will rebuild it. Make gatherings to strengthen unity. Because at the end of the day, we are one.
Say Tehillim. There are tons of stories of the power of Tehillim. Especially Psalms 20, 121, 130, 150. Tehillim can literally save lives.
Give Charity. “Charity can annul a decree” Must we say more?
Light up the Night. In these dark times, light a candle. Light the Shabbat candles. (This is a Mitzvah given to women and girls age 3+.)If you don’t yet, tomorrow night 18 minutes before sunset (3:59 here in Montreal) light a candle. If you already do, bring Shabbat in a bit earlier.
Jewish Pride. Be proud to be a Jew. Keep your head up high. Because Jews are respected when they’re proud. Sneaking in the corner will do no good. Keep your principles, don’t give it away. Know that Israel was given to the Jews, be proud of your homeland.
Do a Mitzvah. Any good deed, be it helping your mother or holding back your tongue. It can be the smallest thing. And it can make the difference of a lifetime.
Do an extra Mitzvah, make a gathering, get a letter in a Sefer Torah, say Tehillim… but don’t despair. Hashem watches Israel day and night. We need to do our part but I truly believe that Hashem will protect us. Israel is the safest place in the world.
Let’s do this!
Tonni
PS Comment and share what you’re doing to help Israel. Do you have any other ideas? Share it. Type and click comment. It’s that simple. I’m waiting to hear from you.
“Light up the Night. In these dark times, light a candle. Light the Shabbat candles. (This is a Mitzvah given to women and girls age 3+.)etc.”
It all depends on custom, so follow your family’s custom, generally in my community girls only start lighting shabbos candles after they get married, and before that their mothers light for them. Although it is done in Chabad and Chassidish circles, your parents might not be happy with their daughter lighting candles if it is not their custom. Minhagim usually come from a Mesorah, so one usually does not change their tradition, unless they are a baalas Teshuva through a certain movement so they may follow that sects traditions.
Just putting that point out there for girls who are not Lubavitch, as it is not a Litvish/Yeshivish thing, my parents would never let me light Shabbos candles before I am married.
I agree. In my family, the girls also don’t light Shabbos candles until we’re married (but those of you who do, don’t fret – you’re getting good practice for when you’re adults!!). I’m glad someone else brought this up before me, because I didn’t want to put anyone off. :)
I was going to mention that too, though I am Tonni’s friend and classmate, and do light from the age of 3. (I can’t imagine not!)
Actually, my niece started as soon as she was able to say the blessing, which was when she was 2 and a half years old. With adult help and supervision, of course. Probably is totally unheard of for some of you, I guess.
So… what am I doing for Israel?
(Tonni knows this because we’re classmate, but i’ll mention it for other readers.) My class had a gathering where we all took on a resolution or decided to break a bad habit, and dedicated it to Israel.
We also said extra Tehillim.
I aalways soak my pillows begging Hashem to help Eretz Yisroel.