Crossing the Jordan River

In parashat Matot, the tribe of Reuben and the tribe of Dan refuse to move across the Jordan river into battle against the Moabites with the rest of Israel. 

Unimpressed with their selfish attitudes, Moses replied to the Gadites and the Reubenites:

הַאַֽחֵיכֶ֗ם יָבֹ֙אוּ֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם תֵּ֥שְׁבוּ פֹֽה׃

Your brothers go to war while you stay here?

Since the day that her son was sent into Gaza, my beloved aunt in Jerusalem has posted this verse as her Whatsapp message. Everyone who reaches out to her can see what is on her mind: the welfare of her child and of her people. 

I know that she wishes more than anything that she could fight in his place. She wishes that she could protect him. 

Though she cannot physically take his place, she can carry him in her heart and her prayers. We can do the same here at Beth Tzedec, across oceans and continents. 

Though we ‘stay behind’ as it were, we might ask ourselves: what are we doing as we watch the war continue to unfold, seemingly helpless from the sidelines? How are we crossing the Jordan River spiritually and emotionally, if not physically? 

Perhaps there is more we can do. When we feel helpless, perhaps we can pray with and for Israel, her protectors, and her residents. Maybe we can pray for peace and bring about peace with our own words and actions. When we feel ready to shut down, perhaps we can invite conversation and connection. When we feel ready to give up, perhaps we can remind ourselves that we are not alone; that we have each other. 

One way that we might do our part is by warmly hosting the discharged IDF elite combat soldiers when they visit through the Peace of Mind Canada initiative from November 10-17. A unit of approximately 15-20 young men who have experienced trauma in battle will be with us for one week of intensive group therapy and bonding with the Jewish community. Please reach out to michael.friedman@rogers.com or garyelman@sympatico.ca to enquire about hosting an IDF soldier.

With blessings for a Shabbat of Peace, a Shabbat of Shalom, 

Rabbi Lara