TBI Stands with Israel

September 2024

Shalom Friends,
Like most people, I love the summer. I enjoy the long days, being outside, watching baseball games, going to the beach, swimming, barbecues, summer parties, and more. Thankfully, I have been able to do all these things this summer. (Mets fans, you should be grateful – the Mets are 4-0 this year when I go to CitiField.)

While this summer has been enjoyable, it is also different from any other summer in my life. That is because of the horrific situation facing Israel – being threatened and attacked by Iran and all of Iran’s proxies. While the war against Hamas in Gaza and the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon get most of the news coverage, Israel is fighting a 7-Front war! That is an absurd statement, but tragically, it’s true. Israel is being attacked by Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas’ terrorists in the West Bank, Iranian proxies in Syria, Iranian proxies in Iraq, and Iran. Thankfully, with the support of the U.S., Israel has been able to defend itself and fight back effectively. America’s strong support for Israel is due to the efforts many Jewish organizations, vocal proponents of the American-Israel relationship, and most especially, the work of AIPAC. While Israel is strong
militarily, this onslaught of attacks is intolerable and upsetting. In addition to the fighting, and to IDF soldiers being injured and killed, there is also the cruel and appalling situation of the 120 hostages still being held captive in Gaza.

So how do we live our lives and, at the same time, think about and support Israel? This is a “both/and” situation – we must live our lives and celebrate simchas, AND find ways to regularly connect to, and support, Israel. One meaningful way that I have tried to find a balance is by wearing a Freedom Tag. A Freedom Tag looks like a dog tag, but instead of having my name on it, it says, in Hebrew, “HaLev Shelanu Sha’vooy b’Azah,” which means, “Our Heart Is Captive In Gaza.” In English it says, “Bring Them Home – Now!” My Freedom Tag is the first thing I put on in the morning, and it’s the last thing I take off, before going to sleep. Thus, throughout the day, I have a physical reminder of the hostages in Gaza, and of Israel being under attack. During some moments of the day, I am very aware of the Freedom Tag, and it feels heavy, knowing what it represents. At other times in the day, I don’t notice it. The Freedom Tag is close to my heart, symbolically, the emotional center of my being. My heart – our heart (the heart of the Jewish people) – is with the hostages, their families, and all of Israel. Having the Freedom Tag close to my heart also reminds me of the courage and strength needed at this moment, in loving and supporting Israel. For me, the Freedom Tag close to my heart, reminds me of a powerful story in the Torah. In a couple places in the Torah, there is a description of the Kohen Gadol’s (High Priest’s) rituals on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur was the only day in the entire year that Kohen Kadol could go into the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber within the Temple.

The Kohen Gadol would enter, wearing elaborate ritual garments, including a breast plate. On the breast plate there were 12 stones, each inscribed with one of the names of the 12 Tribes. The Torah says, “Aaron (the Kohen Gadol) shall carry the names of the children of Israel on the breastplate over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary,” (Exodus 28:29). On Yom Kippur, when the Kohen Gadol would come before God, he would approach God physically alone, however in his heart and mind, he was not alone; rather, he was accompanied by all the
Israelites. If you would like to buy a Freedom Tag, please visit www.freedomtags.org. Freedom Tags is an initiative of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Proceeds from the sale of the tags go to support the innocent people kidnapped by Hamas.

Whether you wear a Freedom Tag or not, the most important thing is action. Please act to support the hostages and to advocate for Israel. One thing you can do is come to synagogue on Friday night, Shabbat morning, or Sunday morning. It’s a great way to connect with community, to be strengthened and to offer strength to others. In addition, at each of these services, we say a special prayer on behalf of the hostages. Another thing you can do is give tzedakah as a zechut (meritorious act) for the hostages. Please consider donating to FIDF (The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces), UJA-Federation Israel Emergency Fund, JNF, Hadassah, United Hatzalah, AIPAC, or other organizations that advocate for the hostages and Israel. Another way to support the hostages and Israel is by staying up to date on all the developments. Please look at an Israeli news website, such as www.timesofisrael.com ,
www.i24news.tv, and www.jpost.com (The Jerusalem Post). There are also many important and informative podcasts. Some include, “Call Me Back” with Dan Senor, “For Heaven’s Sake” with Rabbi Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi, and “The Times of Israel Daily Briefing.”

Our task is to love Israel, support Israel, and defend Israel. This task has been a core part of the Jewish People from our beginnings. Four days before Rosh Hashanah, on Shabbat morning, September 28 th , we will chant these words uttered by the prophet Isaiah: “For the sake of Zion I will not be silent, For the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still, Till her victory emerge resplendent, And her triumph like a flaming torch,” (62:1). May these words strengthen and inspire us as we head into the year 5785. And God willing, may we see peace in Israel very soon. We pray for the day – may it come quickly – that all Israelis, all Palestinians of good will, and all people of good will are able to live in peace, security, and dignity. And let us say: Amen.

Tamara, Lily, Ben, and Nathan join me in wishing you and your family, our community and the
State of Israel, a Shanah Tovah u’Metukah – A Good and Sweet New Year.

l’Shalom,
Rabbi Michael Mishkin
rabbimishkin@tbiport.org

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A Prayer for Israel at War

A Prayer for the Soldiars of the IDF