An Appeal from the Heart on the War in Gaza

I'm not a politician and I'm not a general; I am a simple rabbi, least among rabbis. But I have devoted my life to studying the Torah - the authoritative Word of Gcd in this world - its depth, its eloquence, its mysteries, and its urgent messages for our time.

As a Jew, I share the pain and distress of our People in this difficult hour and I am confident that, with Gcd's help, we will eventually prevail over the Axis of Evil arrayed against us. Though I alone cannot bring this war against the forces of evil to a successful conclusion, I believe that, working together, even simple people like ourselves can bring that goal much closer.

Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook taught that the way to combat evil is to flood the world with good.

I believe Gcd is urging us to quantify the mitzvot "ben adam l'chaveiro" - good deeds which directly impact others. Let's flood the world with gratuitous acts of kindness: greet everyone with a genuine smile; open a door for an elderly person; perhaps buy a homeless person a meal; give tzedakah directly into the hands of the needy.

There are those who would characterize the Jews as monstrous, genocidal mass murderers. What better way to combat this pernicious slander than by showing who we really are - Rachamanim b'nei Rachamanim - kind-hearted people, from a long & distinguished lineage of kind hearts.

Every Jew is an ambassador of the A-lmighty. A long-term, sustained kindness campaign, especially direct to our non-Jewish neighbors, will win hearts and change perceptions, and will of course hasten the Ultimate Redemption.

If this idea resonates, please do the following: (1) repost; (2) PM me to coordinate, share ideas and spread this message; and (3) consider purchasing my book, Holistic Judaism, contains detailed instructions on how to hasten the Messianic Age of universal brotherhood and peace to which we all aspire.

Hashem yikom damam avadav hashafuch.

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14Judy Livny, Akiva Hollinger and 12 others