Israel-Gaza War 5785: How the Arrogant Have Devoured Us

I write this between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Three times during these holy days, Unetaneh Tokef is chanted, reminding us that we must do teshuvah (returning or repentance) today, because we are not guaranteed tomorrow. But this year, we could add new words to the old, familiar ones.

Who shall live and who shall die,
Who at his intended time and who not at his intended time,
Who by fire and who by water,
Who by rocket and who by gunshot

Who shall be at rest and who shall be restless
Who shall be a captive and who shall be free
Who shall be a refugee and who shall return home

Last year, as we heard these words chanted, little did we know how quickly they would take on a searing immediacy. This year, we know all too well. Many deaths later, with captives still in the Gaza hell-hole and tens of thousands unable to return to their homes in the Envelope and in the north, as well as refugees in Gaza and now Lebanon, we know. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers continue to risk—and lose—their lives in both places. Most recently, Israel has experienced fatal terror attacks in Tel Aviv and Beersheba, along with escalated rocket attacks from Lebanon, and who knows if more will come.

Some are distraught with news of the deaths of their loves ones. Others have had their dear ones freed and returned to them. “Who will be tranquil and who will suffer…”

This year, have we not had more pure souls to add to the Yom Kippur martyrology, Eleh Ezkerah?

“These I recall and pour out my soul. How the arrogant have devoured us.”

Are there any better words to describe the utter devastation of last October 7th? To describe our devastation in the aftermath? Our souls are poured out, again and again.

But it is not only with rape, mutilation, kidnapping, and murder that they devour us. The words and actions of hate-filled demonstrators, biased media, and sneering UN and world leaders reek of arrogance. Just a week ago, a local “peace” activist wrote this in a letter to my local newspaper:

“As Yom Kippur nears, it would befit Israelis to consider atoning for their support of genocide.”

This is yet another example of goysplaining, as non-Jews lecture us about what Judaism and Zionism really mean, what genocide is, and how we are not living up to our potential as (their idea of) Jews.

Of course, this is as nothing compared to Hamas and Hezbollah atrocities. But it demoralizes diaspora Jews as we constantly, day in, day out, hear such tripe, often from those we considered friends or at least not enemies. When we hear enough of it, we can start to doubt ourselves. Perhaps we are guilty of whatever it is they accuse us of. If so many say it, must it not be, at least in part, true? And we become timid in our support of Israel, or unable to find the words to dispute the slanderers, or even turn against our brethren. There is such a thing as death of the soul.

The arrogant use words to try to devour us. But we too have words during these days to be our shield and armor against both their words and their weapons of death.

Today, strengthen us.
Today, bless us.
Today, make us great.
Today, grant us wellbeing.
Today, inscribe us for a good life.
Today, heed our cry.
Today, accept in mercy and favor our prayer.
Today, sustain us in Your righteousness.

It is long past time for our cries to be heeded. We need strength, blessing, wellbeing, mercy, favor, and sustenance. And, just as we need these things, Hashem needs us to return through atonement for our own lack and through acknowledgment of Him. We have words we can speak for that, too, and actions we can take.

Our Father, our King, we have sinned before You.
Our Father, our King, we have no King but You.
Our Father, our King, for Your sake, have mercy on us.

During these Yamim Noraim, these Days of Awe, we know that we have much to atone for.

Al het—For the sin of hating my fellow Jews who disagree with me politically or practice Judaism differently, or not at all.

For the sin of being apathetic or indifferent to Israel and Israelis, as if they have nothing to do with us.

For the sin of staying silent out of fear or indifference when Israel is vilified and slandered.

For the sin of being embarrassed by Israel for not being perfect, or the world’s idea of righteous.

For the sin of believing, even for a minute, the lies they tell about us.

For the sin of turning against Israel and Israelis, either out of a demand for a standard of perfection and purity we could never meet ourselves, or to be accepted by the haters as not like those Jews.

For the sin of succumbing to the darkness unleashed upon us, of giving up, of losing hope.

For the sin of not doing enough, in whatever way we can, large or small, to bring light even in this dark.

Our self-examination and atonement can and should be accompanied by crying out to Hashem for respite, for all Israel. U’teshuvah, u’tefillah, u’tzedakah ma’avirin et roa hagezerah. Returning, prayer, and charity transform the harshness of the decree. May we all do our part in this transformation. G’mar chatima tova—may we all be sealed for good in 5785. Hear our cry!