Israel at War - a Message from Rabbi Noyo

Saturday, October 7, 9:47 PM

Dear HBT Family,

This morning, we woke up to horrifying news out of Israel. Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on Israel, specifically today, Shabbat and Simchat Torah, fifty years after the Yom Kippur War. Thousands of missiles have been fired, and Hamas has infiltrated Israel on the ground, kidnapping, torturing, and murdering civilians. As of my writing, over 300 Israelis have been killed and over 1500 have been injured. In Gaza, the death toll is over 200 and there are nearly 2000 injured.

You may have, like me, been watching the news with shock and horror throughout the day. There are few words to express the utter dismay I feel, the disgust at the absolute lack of humanity on display by Hamas.

My heart breaks for the families of the dead and injured, and I am scared for Israeli and Palestinian families caught in the crossfire of missiles. There is no question that in the face of such an attack, Israel must defend itself - and we also know that this leads to more violence. We can only pray that this war ends swiftly, so that further suffering is prevented.

As I shared during our Simchat Torah event tonight, missiles do not distinguish between Jew and non-Jew, Israeli and Palestinian, Zionist and anti-Zionist. In this moment of profound heartache, we do not make such distinctions either - no matter our politics, we only pray for the sanctity of human life, that all lives be spared, and that Israel, Palestine, and all the world soon know peace.

I'd like to share a few poems and prayers that have comforted and strengthened me at this critical time when it can be so easy to despair. 

The Smoke Has Not Cleared

A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People

Prayer for Peace in Israel during Wartime

Please know that I am available to be fully present with anyone who would like to talk about this with me. I hope that if you have loved ones in Israel that they are safe and continue to be safe.

RabbiNoyo@TempleHBT.org

617-469-4156 - call or text

May the One Who Makes Peace make peace for us, for Israel, for Palestine, and for all the world.

In solidarity and love,

Rabbi Noyo