Going Forward Together

As we approach the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings, we reflect on the names of the upcoming Parshiot, beginning with Nitzavim, which calls us to stand together as a unified people, like warriors preparing for battle.  Thank God Israel is standing up against the Hezbollah bullies who have rained daily rockets since October 8th, caused many deaths (including civilians and children) and displaced over 60,000 people from their homes. This leads us to Vayelech, which urges us to act. How do we progress from the challenges and lessons of the past year? Time to go to combat our enemies on the battlefield, the hostile press, on social media, the UN  and Governments who have no desire for the truth or peace and seek our destruction. In Haazinu, we are reminded to listen and genuinely hear—what messages do we want to carry forward into the coming year?

When we reach Zot HaBerachah, we encounter blessings, but this year, we approach them with a profound sense of vulnerability and apprehension, particularly as Simchat Torah arrives. The events of October 7th have dramatically altered our reality and brought falsehood and evil into the world. These blessings now carry the weight of tragedy that has shaken our country, community, and resilience. We are confronted with the duality of existence—war and living, joy and sorrow, triumph and tragedy.

This year has underscored our vulnerability but has given rise to resilience and strength. We are exposed to the realities of war, hate, and uncertainty. We see this reflected in the precariousness of the natural world. Israel, a land where natural waters like the Nile do not flow, has relied on God’s mercy for rain throughout history. Even as we develop technological solutions such as desalination, do we ever truly become less reliant on divine providence? This past week was a stark reminder of our vulnerability, with a missile launched from Yemen—one that our defence systems could not adequately intercept. The terrifying thought lingers: if it had carried a nuclear warhead, it could have reached us in just twelve minutes. We are vulnerable, and we are hated.

The world seems to be turning its back on us. The United Nations General Assembly voted 124 to 14 against our right to defend ourselves, with 43 countries abstaining, including nations like Germany, England, Australia, and Canada. The hypocrisy is overwhelming. Even Wikipedia now labels Israel as a “colonial” power, equating Zionism with colonialism. How twisted is that? Zionism, the return of the Jewish people to our ancient homeland, is one of the greatest success stories of the 20th century. And yet, the world ignores this reality, preferring to distort history and label us as invaders.

In reflecting on this past year, I’ve explored the nature of the Soul of Israel, trying to find hope and purpose amidst the chaos. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ teachings on a “Good Society” have been significant. This week’s Parsha reminds us of the covenant with God that calls us to make the world a better place. This concept is not just theoretical—it’s practical, embodied by people like Micha Odenheimer and his organization, Tevel b’Tzedek. And even in these troubled times, they continue their efforts; they work to improve lives in places like Zambia, where drought and power shortages create daily hardships. Micha’s work demonstrates how we can harness the ideas of a “good society”,  technology and Israeli innovation to address real-world challenges and make a tangible difference.

Here is an extract of his words that was posted on FaceBook.

“Zambia experienced a drought this past rainy season, as did other parts of Southern Africa. Of course, the most immediate consequence was the failure of the maize crop, which provides the staple food, a kind of corn polenta called Nshima. Tevel b’Tzedek: The Earth in Justice תבל בצדק has been scrambling, together with our partner Africa Access Water, to grow irrigated maize in large quantities to help feed the villages we are working in, and that is going well, although since the corn won’t be ready for a while, hunger is already stalking the many vulnerable households in the villages in the meantime.

But beyond food, there are other ways the drought affects everything here. Power in Zambia depends on hydropower dams, and there is less power when there is less water. Much less. In the capital city, there is no power for 20 hours per day in most places. That, in turn, affects everything else. My Yango (like Uber) drivers complain that business is slow because phones remain uncharged, and no one can make plans to go anywhere. Also, they can’t receive client calls because their phones remain uncharged.

The lab to which we sent soil samples for testing told us that, among other things, it is unable to test in the meantime because there is no power.

Meanwhile, on our little farm in the village, we have power 18 to 20 hours a day through solar panels. We also have Wi-Fi during that time—Starlink.

Zambia has taught me –as Nepal did before –how utterly vulnerable we are to our appetite for power. How power is a pervasive need. And therefore, how non-polluting, democratically decentralized power should be a priority for us all.”

This is a very moving story.

In conclusion.

The Parsha of Nitzavim begins with us standing together, a nation united in purpose. The events of October 7th have reinforced this unity. We are more aware of our Jewishness, identity, and the stark contrast between good and evil. The distance between the two has never felt greater. The war and the world’s reaction leave us standing alone yet together. We must succeed in our mission—standing firm, striving for a better world, and embracing the truth.

As we reflect on the lessons of this past year, we are reminded that we all have the power to effect change—within ourselves, our families, our communities, and our countries. Nitzavim teaches us that everyone has a role, from the water carrier to the leader. The world is full of hypocrisy, poverty, and conflict, not just physical wars but trade wars as well.

For those who want to learn more about trade wars and why this is relevant today, I refer you to read my essay https://www.upgradingesg.com/the-ethics-of-global-trade-wars-and-food-loss  and invite you to follow me on my substack https://upgradingesg.substack.com

where I share ideas about a Good Society.

Yet amidst the darkness, we can find hope in our covenant with God and our commitment to building a Good Society.

In this month of Teshuvah, as we stand here again, we must reflect on our purpose and identity. Life is fragile, and we must be grateful for every moment. The inevitability of loss has returned to our prayer books, reminding us of the preciousness of life. As we move forward into the new year, we carry the weight of our past experiences and hope for a better future. We must stand firm in our faith, Jewishness, and commitment to creating a world of justice, peace, and compassion for all.

Vayelech – going forward

We often wonder how to move forward. It’s essential to reflect on our desires, actions, and the importance of gratitude. Life can be fleeting, shaped by turmoil and hardship.

Rabbi Sacks highlights the essence of being Jewish: our identity stems from our heritage. Despite the challenges of assimilation, especially in America, we must recognize our responsibility to uphold that identity. After the tragedies of October 7th, it’s easy to succumb to cynicism. However, the words of the Parsha remind us that we stand as a collective, witnessing and learning.

We are commanded to pass on our legacy in the covenant we share. This covenant, established “today”, emphasizes our role as a people chosen to connect with God. Its significance and implications for our lives cannot be overstated.

As I’ve been browsing social media, particularly LinkedIn, it’s striking how many people, myself included, have become activists, trying to share the truth. Before October 7th, I would sometimes try to downplay my Jewish or Israeli identity on LinkedIn. But not anymore. The same applies to many in Israel or America who used to hide their Jewish identity. We now realize there’s a much bigger issue at play. It’s not about gaining more connections or making more money; it’s about the battle for justice—goodness over evil.

There’s widespread ignorance, hypocrisy, and historical revisionism. It’s sickening. The obsession with hatred is irrational, yet so many harbour violent sentiments without understanding the reality of the situation. As I scroll through LinkedIn, it’s inspiring to see how many regular Jewish and Israeli people proudly display phrases like “Bring them home,” the Israeli flag, or titles such as “Proud Zionist” or “Israeli.” Whereas in the past, we might have concealed our Jewish or Zionist identity, now we wear it proudly. This is a badge we want to share with pride.

We have a message. We have a right. The world desperately needs repair—it lacks morals, ethics, leadership, and truth. It suffers from a distorted view of history. It’s disheartening, and it’s the same narrative across many Western countries, the UN, and the media.

I recall a tour of a crystal factory in Ireland in 2015. The guide asked where we were from, and we hesitated to say Israel. We could have said South Africa, but we chose to say Israel. The guide responded, “Oh, the State of Israel, how wonderful!” We were not expecting those kind words.

So, what is the message here? How do we move forward? We move forward by proudly displaying our Jewishness, Zionism, and connection to Israel. We may not be soldiers on the battlefield, but we are soldiers on social media. We all have a role in combating ignorance—both ours and theirs.

A podcast between Eylon Levy and Noah Tishby made it clear that we are all soldiers in this battle against the libellous and harmful news coverage spread by international media, especially the BBC.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bEyDRCbVfA)

A damning report by Trevor Asserson, a 199-page document, details the malicious lies spread by the BBC and how their actions are illegal. It also reveals the misuse of the international court system (ICJ). The hypocrisy and darkness are glaring.
(https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/bbc-breached-own-guidelines-1-553-times-on-israel-says-new-report-s5jsmz9y)
And yet, no mainstream media outlet has dared to report this.

It’s time to sharpen the hilltops of truth. This is crucial when assessing what defines the Soul of Israel. Our moral and ethical responsibility is to spread the truth—the light of goodness over the darkness of evil.

We have a proud history of contributing to the world, from delivering the Torah over 3,000 years ago to the moral calls of the prophets and through the contributions of the State of Israel. We should never underestimate our heritage, teachings, and the impact we have had on civilization. Today, that message and impact are needed more than ever in this muddled and confused world.

As we stand together, let us remember our commitment to one another and our shared heritage.

Moving forward requires us to listen, learn, and uphold the values that define us.