Weekly Torah Portion

If someone had told us in September of 2023 that Israel would be attacked and have more than 1,200 citizens killed on its own land, most of us would likely never have believed it. If further told that the same savages would actually release over 100 of 254 hostages taken we might have been in similar disbelief. Many people instantly took all those captured for dead, and in fact dozens of the kidnapped have been murdered, including several American citizens.

This weekend the world awaits the release of what we hope will be all of the other 100 or so captives, some sadly no longer alive. But even this plan is not something that will happen quickly, and some of it may never materialize. According to current news reports, next week will see only seven hostages released, with but 26 more over the ensuing few weeks. While we should celebrate that innocent Jews and others are finally being freed, we can also realize that very little in life – and especially in conflict – goes according to plan.

Meanwhile, the USA will inaugurate a new presidential administration, signaling likely changes in everything from grocery prices to which basic freedoms are enjoyed by people in other countries around the world. This is likely to include many of our brethren in Israel and elsewhere. Many of us, based on the incoming president’s past policies, feel optimistic about the prospects – for practicing traditional Jews’ interests and the American-Israel alliance.

But nothing is really certain. There are no sure bets of who will accommodate, much less facilitate, our welfare and security, and to be kind to us as a people. Such is the Jewish story. Throughout the millennia we have had far more governments and whole societies who look at and treat us negatively than we have had friends. It’s no different today: a report released this week showed that among 58,000 adults surveyed in 103 countries, a staggering 46% hold deeply antisemitic attitudes.

So what are we to do?

Interestingly, this week’s Torah portion also recalls a change of administration in a superpower country. In our Egyptian exile the governing Pharaoh died. A day of national mourning was called, and the Jewish slaves themselves got a rare day off. What did they do? The Torah records that they groaned and cried (Shemos 2:23). The 19th century commentary Haamek Davar reads the verse carefully, and explains that ordinarily the concentration camp-like conditions in Egypt did not leave room for pondering their future. This day of reprieve was also kind of deflating, though. In considering their plight they saw no end.

But they did not just groan. They also cried: they gathered together and prayed. Their prayer was not an orderly, eloquent one either. It was one of emotional despair, reinforcing they had no one else to turn to now other than G-d. And you know what? He heard them. The Torah records that G-d remembered His covenant with the Jewish patriarchs, and from then on describes what would become the greatest salvation in world history, the Exodus.

The world watches and awaits the fate of 100 Jews and others still trapped in tunnels and dark corners of a war-torn Mediterranean beachfront. We rightfully feel connected to their suffering and our taking notice is itself a sign of our national connection. No single person, whether president or pedestrian, can really determine any outcomes in phases one, two, or three of this bittersweet ceasefire. But we can, and should, pray. If we do so with genuine emotional connection, it will be noticed even more.