PARASHAT BEHA’ALOTEKHA
“And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you shall be remembered before the Lord your G-d, and you shall be saved from your enemies.” (Numbers 10:9)
In Parashat B’haalot’kha, Moses is commanded to make two silver trumpets. When the trumpets are sounded, all the congregation of Israel assembles with one heart, ready for war. Last night the sirens rang out in Israel uniting our People because we were required to engage a new front in the defensive war that must be fought against enemies who seek to destroy us. A major attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and genocidal leaders was launched.
We pray for our family in Israel, those who defend and protect the Holy Land, and we ask God to send success and power to the Israeli Defense Forces. We pray, as well, for allies to hear the call of the Jewish People and who heed the call to stand strongly with us in the pursuit of a new chapter in the Middle East.
The two silver trumpets that Moses commanded us to make were also to be used to announce holy days and celebrations for the Jewish People. We seek times of sweetness, tenderness and joyous feasts. Let the trumpets become instruments that create a soundtrack of joy and revelry when war is done. Let us come together for holiday observances, weddings, births, baby namings and gatherings of family and friends.
While we remain in focused solidarity with Am Yisrael as we pursue the required battles on many fronts – to thwart enemies with nuclear weapons capabilities and to overcome terrorists in order to return beloved hostages to their families – we are also focused on our simha here at home. May the joy of a bat mitzvah celebration this Shabbat bring Natalie’s parents much nachas, and may we all take pride in being part of a community that raises our children with strong Zionist values and nourishes their minds and souls to become leaders in a world that should know only peace. Sound the trumpets!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bolton