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Motti Wilhelm

One Year, Three Lessons: Am Yisroel Chai

As he graduates from University of Oregon, a student is proud to tell the world who he is and what he stands for.
As he graduates from University of Oregon, a student is proud to tell the world who he is and what he stands for.

Over the past 365 days of struggle, determination, grief, and courage, three words have remained at the forefront of the Jewish consciousness: Am Yisroel Chai — The Nation of Yisrael Lives.

This powerful phrase, whose source remains a mystery (some credit the 18th-century Rabbi Yonasan Eibshitz with coining the phrase; there is documentation of its use during the Holocaust, and it became widely popular as a chant for the freedom of Soviet Jewry), captures the three key lessons and messages this past year has taught us:

Am Yisroel Chai: The Nation of Yisrael Lives:

Our peoplehood, our oneness, and our unity are alive. When Noa was rescued, we all celebrated, and when Hirsh was murdered, we all mourned. There is no schism between Israeli Jewry and diaspora Jewry, liberal Jews and conservative Jews — we are one people with a single heart. When Jews are held in Gaza, they do not walk freely in Colombia, and when they stand tall in Johannesburg, they embolden Jerusalem. The Nation of Yisrael Lives:

Am Yisroel Chai: The Nation of Yisrael Lives:

The past year has taught us that we live when we look inward to the timeless teachings that have guided our nation in our mission of perfecting the world and being a light unto the nations. When we turn towards the very sources that introduced humanity to the notions of justice and morality and act with Jewish principles—securing life by removing threats before they are activated and acting decisively to prevent any buildup on our borders—we bring the world the blessings of peace, prosperity, and purpose.

When we allow the UN, ICC, and mainstream media to lecture us about morality, justice, and human rights, the result is the live-streaming of immorality and injustice like the world has never seen. The Nation of Yisrael Lives

Am Yisroel Chai: The Nation of Yisrael Lives.

The tragic events of the past year have activated the world’s 15.8 million Jews in a way unseen before. College students are putting on Tefillin opposite encampments, women are baking Challah for the first time, and people are going all out on social media proclaiming to the world, “I am a Jew and I am proud!”

If our enemies thought they could bring down the Jewish spirit, engagement, and commitment in any way, they were sorely mistaken. Am Yisroel Chai—the nation of Yisrael is more alive, more vibrant, and more committed than ever before.

About the Author
Rabbi Motti Wilhelm received his diploma of Talmudic Studies from the Rabbinical College of Australia & New Zealand in 2003 and was ordained as a rabbi by the Rabbinical College of America and Israel’s former chief Rabbi Mordecha Eliyahu in 2004. He was the editor of Kovetz Ohelei Torah, a respected Journal of Talmudic essays. He lectures on Talmudic Law, Medical Ethics and a wide array of Jewish subjects and has led services in the United States, Canada, Africa and Australia. His video blog Rabbi Motti's Minute is highly popular as are his weekly emails. Rabbi Wilhelm and his wife Mimi lead Chabad SW Portland as Shluchim of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
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