October 7 will never be forgotten.
On one hand, it marks the saddest day in Israel’s history, but it was also the day we came together as a nation. Jews – from across the globe – stood as one in helping the State of Israel. Thousands of Israelis raced home to join their comrades in battle. (By the way, how many Ukrainians living outside the country flew back to join their war?) Millions of Yidden, of all ages, prayed and beseeched the heavens for mercy and strength.
But the greatest gift of all was watching our youth rise as lions! For 365 continuous days and nights, these heroes have been fearlessly fighting the enemy without stop. Even as we sat in shul and around the Rosh HaShanah table, thousands of young soldiers were risking their lives – fighting Amalek. Nine beautiful young men fell in Northern Israel – erroneously called “Lebanon” – so that we could enjoy the holiday. (The country called “Lebanon” is actually part of Biblical Eretz Yisrael conquered by Joshua and given to the tribe of Asher. In other words: It is as much a part of Israel as Jerusalem, Haifa, and Hebron!)
Our prayers are with families who lost loved ones – whether on October 7 or throughout this last challenging year. All of these Jews – over 1,500 of them – died al kiddush Hashem (sanctifying G-d’s Name) and will never be forgotten.
We continue to pray for the success and safety of all soldiers and for the immediate, unconditional release of all the hostages. Additionally, we beg that Hashem heal the wounded – both physically and emotionally – so we can come together to build His land into the Torah society we dream of.
Many questions have arisen throughout this last year, but the one I keep hearing over and over is: “When will the war end?” – and not just this one, but the seemingly endless wars since the founding of the modern State of Israel. It has been 76 years and it feels as though we have been at war every one of those years! This is not an exaggeration. Between the constant wars in the “early days” against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria – to the daily battles in Yehudah and Shomron, where Arabs attack daily – to the Gulf War against Iraq (1991) – and to the last few decades of wars vs. Hezbollah and Hamas – and now Iran and Yemen! When will this end?
The answer – and many people won’t like this – is that this will end only when Mashiach walks through the door. Until then, the enemy of Hashem will fight with everything he has, and it is our obligation to fight back. Fighting for Hashem’s honor and conquering, liberating, redeeming, and defending Eretz Yisrael is an obligation – and a privilege! – given to the Chosen People from the day Joshua entered the land with B’nei Yisrael some 3,297 years ago. Hashem could have easily given us Australia – where nobody lived – and we could have shared that beautiful country with some kangaroos. Instead, the Almighty chose the “busiest and most crowded real estate on Planet Earth.” Ten nations lived there (yes, ten, not seven), and Hashem knew they would put up a fight, but that is why He chose that place: because the fight, the battles, and the self-sacrifice are an essential part of the plan.
Therefore, while war brings great pain and suffering – and we extend our hand to comfort the families of the killed, wounded, and captured – it is also the ultimate opportunity to show our love, dedication, commitment, and loyalty to the King of Kings who guides our every move.
That having been said, our ultimate desire is peace, yet it doesn’t contradict what I just wrote. “Peace,” in the world of authentic Torah Judaism, is achieved through following the guidelines of the Torah. Every one of our leaders – from Avraham to Moshe to Pinchas to Joshua to Yiftach to Mordechai – prayed for peace – yet mastered the sword. King David wrote endless poems about peace but was the fiercest fighter in Jewish history. These Torah giants knew that only in the days of Mashiach will true and everlasting peace cover the globe. Until then, a Jew needs to walk with the Torah in one hand and the sword (actually: the tank, IAF fighter plane, and/or submachine gun) in the other.
Let the world know that while we pray for peace, the Jewish nation is prepared for war and not afraid of the challenges it brings. For the last 2,000 years, the Jew ran away, hid, and cowered – but not anymore. As my rabbi – HaRav Meir Kahane z”l – taught us: Our Jewish head needs to be attached to our Jewish fist. Only then will we be able see the fulfillment of the verse in T’hilim (29:11) “Hashem will give strength to His nation; Hashem will bless His nation with peace.” First comes strength and only then comes peace.
May this happen in the coming year!
Am Yisrael Chai!
Shmuel Sackett is a 100% product of Queens. He was born in Middle Village and moved to KGH shortly before his bar-mitzvah. He graduated from YCQ (1975) and YHSQ (1979). He was Havurat Yisrael’s first Youth Director (4 years) and started the first 2 NCSY chapters in Queens. Shmuel made aliyah in 1990 and co-founded Manhigut Yehudit, together with Moshe Feiglin. His website is www.JewishIsrael.org Sackett is married with 6 children and 4 grandchildren. He lives in Herziliya Pituach.
