The Blogs: From Rainbow to Phoenix — A New Covenant For Our Time | Shamai Leibowitz

Have you ever paused in awe as you saw a majestic rainbow?

In Jewish tradition, the rainbow is a reminder of God’s covenant with Noah after the flood, serving as a beacon of hope and renewal (Gen. 9:7-17). The Talmudic rabbis instituted a special blessing upon seeing it:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֶלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית, וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ, וְקַיָם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who remembers the covenant, and is faithful to His covenant, and keeps His promise.”

Why such a long blessing?

Because the rabbis disagreed. One said we should acknowledge God “who remembers the covenant [with Noah]” while another insisted on praising God “who is faithful to His covenant and fulfills His word.” In the end, a compromise was reached, and both views were woven together. (Berakhot 59a)

And therein lies a great mussar lesson: the rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant of peace, and peace always demands compromise. Even the blessing itself embodies that truth.

This blessing is not merely a reflection of the past — it’s a call to action. It serves as a powerful warning that peace cannot be achieved by absolutists or those who cling to being “right” at all costs. Instead, it is forged by a commitment to equality and justice for all.

The Phoenix Framework

Taking this idea to heart, young Israelis and Palestinians have come together to draft the Phoenix Framework.

Calling it the “No Nonsense Framework for Peace,” they have laid out a bold roadmap with actionable solutions across six key areas that address the most significant socio-political barriers to a diplomatic settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It offers a transformative vision for a post-war future for both peoples.

Their plan was presented to the US Congress and high-level diplomatic officials from the European Union, France, Jordan, Switzerland, and Belgium. It was featured at major international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly. Curious to learn more? Click this link to explore the details and join the conversation!