As we enter the inspiring days of the month of Elul, it is time for us to reflect upon the past year. If someone would have told us that there will be an October 7 massacre or that Jews in America and all over the globe would feel unsafe, we would have thought that this person had lost his mind. The last year has reminded us that life is unpredictable and that we should grab every moment and use it to its full potential simply because we don’t know what can happen the next moment.
The question is: Where do we go from here? I think that before dealing with this question, the first thing we have to ask ourselves is, is there anything we have learned from October 7? Has this tragic moment changed us as individuals and as a nation? Personally, the most important lesson I learned was that now, more than ever, we have to put all our differences aside and unite. Unfortunately, the world is full of stigmas and the Jewish world is no different. We often judge people by the style of their clothes, the way they speak, the people they associate themselves with, the schools they send their children to, the community they are a part of, among many other things. October 7 reminded us that our enemies care about one thing only, to annihilate anyone who is Jewish, regardless of their background or their skin color.
The Chovot Halevavot (Sha’ar Yichud Hashem 5) writes that a little light chases away a lot of darkness. Each of us represents a small light and it is our responsibility to use it and do whatever we can to unite. Every little act to bring us closer makes a difference. In fact, one of the main themes found in the central prayer of the High Holidays Musaf is unity, as it is written, “and they will become a single group.” In order for Hashem to enable us to repent, we have to unite. If we do not, then Hashem will not give us the opportunity to return to Him.
I was vividly reminded of this message a couple of times during the summer.
At the beginning of the summer, one Friday afternoon, as we were getting ready for Shabbat, my wife got a phone call from the camp where our son Nissim Shalom was a counselor, saying that Nissim Shalom hurt his ankle playing basketball, he was rushed to the hospital and we should drive to be with him. We obviously rushed to the hospital, worried about Nissim’s condition and what he was going through. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the camp doctor who accompanied Nissim Shalom to the hospital. She immediately put us at ease, gave a huge hug to my wife and updated us on Nissim Shalom’s condition. The hospital’s doctors and nurses were extremely kind and made our experience as pleasant as they could, even under those unpleasant circumstances. After finding out that Nissim dislocated his ankle, the doctor put it back in place and Nissim Shalom was discharged. Due to Shabbat, we could not drive back home and spent Shabbat in camp. All of the staff members were extremely supportive. They found us a place to sleep, ensuring we were comfortable, invited us for Kiddush and included us in different activities. It was such an uplifting experience to see different people from different backgrounds and levels of observance being so compassionate and kind, thus creating a sense of community.
During our recent journey in Israel, we had the opportunity to mingle with Israelis in the streets of Yerushalayim. The main theme that was discussed was how people felt united during these challenging times. To see the chesed that is being done by simple civilians was uplifting beyond description.
Through these different experiences, we have come to realize that as much as the world seems to be disunited and in a chaotic state, it is always possible to make a difference by acting compassionately and bringing people closer to each other.
May the upcoming year be a year of peace, and may the Almighty shine His light of unity and compassion upon us and all humankind. Amen!
Rabbi Ilan Acoca is the rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Hamidrash, Vancouver, BC, Canada. He currently serves as Rabbi of Congregation Bet Yosef of Fort Lee. He is a faculty member of Yeshivat Shalshelet and Moriah School. Rabbi Acoca serves as an executive member of the Rabbinical Council of America, as well as a member of the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County, the Sephardic Metivta and the Habura. He is the author of the book “The Sephardic Book of Why” and a mohel.
