Those of us who write for and work at Exploring Judaism are feeling profound pain and loss as we witness the hostage releases and return of remains in Israel. All deaths are sad. Deaths in war are horrific and, at times, indiscriminate. The death of children in captivity and the deceptions and displays of cruelty perpetrated by enemies of our people are beyond what even our people, so familiar with suffering, have witnessed in living memory.
As a small organization that focuses on TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition. Read more content, we are thankful for our funding partners, the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ, who conveyed our heartbrokenness in this moment and work to respond to current events.
At times like this, finding the right words to express grief or to find consolation is nearly impossible. Our tradition has texts, such as Psalms, Tehillim, that address the gamut of human emotions. Some may choose to read these texts meditatively, absorbing the words but not dwelling on them to parse each meaning.
Another way to channel our discomfort is to actively seek conversation with friends and family, to express our pain and more importantly our hope that a better future is possible for our people and our nation.
We continue to hold in our hearts all innocent victims and those manipulated by forces beyond their control for political gain or cynical advancement of agendas that only benefit the powerful.
Parashat Mishpatim, which is read this Shabbat, is full of mitzvot that address restitution and fairness in cases of intended or unintended harm or injury. The Parasha also begs us to be a holy people, a people that sees value in all human life and works to bring moral clarity and fair judgements into the world.
We can never compensate the individuals or the communities for the losses suffered in this ongoing conflict, we can only continue in the path of justice and equity that the Torah begs of us.
With blessings of peace and resolution,
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover & The EJ Staff
We invite you to honor the memories of Kfir, Ariel, and Oded:
- Recite El Maleh, the prayer for the departed
- Pray for the Return of Slain Hostages
- Pray for the safe return of those still held captive
Join the Conservative/Masorti community in reciting a daily Psalm for the safe return of the hostages
Authors
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Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).
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Rabbi Mordechai Rackover serves as Editor in Chief of Exploring Judaism and Director of Publications and Digital Engagement at The Rabbinical Assembly. He has a background in education, campus work, and the pulpit. Mordechai studied for nearly a decade in a number of Yeshivot in Israel and has a BA in Jewish Studies from McGill University and an MA in Jewish Communal Leadership from Brandeis University. When not working he can be found reading or cooking and occasionally catering. Check out his Instagram for mouthwatering shots.
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