Vayakhel – Constructing Israel’s Identity

The tragedy of October 7th reminded us of the stakes. It forced us to confront not just the physical destruction wrought by our enemies but also the internal fractures that threaten the very fabric of our society. This is a moment not just to rebuild homes and infrastructure but to forge a nation that truly reflects the best of who we are. Let us answer Moses’ call in Vayakhel—to gather together to construct a future rooted in unity, sanctity, and hope.

The calling of Vayakhel sounds very noble, but the reality on the ground is different. This week, Israel has resumed its attack on Gaza. Did we have another choice? Hamas refuses to release our hostages and threatens our existence. The war in Gaza could be over tomorrow—if Hamas released the hostages (surrendering would be nice, too). Instead, they continue their brutal games, manipulating the ceasefire negotiations and emotional warfare. We are witnessing heart-wrenching scenes, including those of Hostage families crying out over the fate of these poor souls. Hamas plays a cruel game, releasing some hostages while keeping others, all while the world watches. There is no call from the UN, Western or Arab Governments to make Hamas a pariah.  Only to make the Jewish state a pariah. Should we be outraged? Yes. There should be an outrage against Hamas, but the world is directing Its outrage at Israel.

This is part of a broader pattern—the delegitimisation of Israel. Since October 7th, we have seen relentless attacks on Israel’s right to defend itself, twisting facts to fit a narrative that erases Jewish suffering. I want to share examples of this delegitimization and discuss how we should respond. But beyond the external threats, there is also an internal reckoning.

In an ideal world, October 7th would serve as a wake-up call for Jewish unity—just as the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) unified the Jewish people with a shared purpose. This moment demands that we reexamine ourselves as a nation. The challenge is no longer just about survival but about identity. Who are we? What do we stand for? How do we unite and build a future rooted in Jewish values and sanctity?

The return to our homeland has been a bumpy road, and the stubborn refusal of the Arab Nations to recognise our right to Israel was not only a fight about Land (but a battle of religion and whose path is right). Our return is a stain on their identity and Islam. The very act of Jews reclaiming their Land is an insult that can not carry. The historical revisions of facts, the festering of the refugees, false narratives and lies, and now the victimisation of Israel and labelling of Israel’s actions as genocide are just another form of delegitimization.

“Israelis and Palestinians UNITED for PEACE. Who shouldn’t want that?

Well, an Israeli filmmaker recently stood on the Oscar stage and called his own country an apartheid state—while his own film staged violence to make Israel look like the enemy.

No Other Land claims to show Israeli “rampages,” but behind the scenes? The director was caught provoking soldiers, fabricating clashes, and twisting reality. And in his Oscar speech, he left out one key detail—Hamas.

Every day, propaganda is rapidly spread, especially on social media. Let’s make sure we debunk it whenever we can because when lies shape history, real people pay the price.”

These wars were penned by American Jewish social media star Montana Tucker, who has risked her career to be a stand-out advocate for Israel. Her story and activism are truly inspirational and have made a tremendous impact on how young Americans absorb information about Israel and antisemitism on social media.

Montana Tucker’s critique of this hypocrisy is a necessary wake-up call: the very people who claim to champion human rights are the first to ignore Jewish suffering and the legitimacy of Israel.

Social media exacerbates this problem, with misinformation spreading at breakneck speed. It is our duty to counter these falsehoods whenever possible. When lies shape history, real people pay the price.

Here is the link to Montana’s posts and excellent video (which I could not find on YouTube, which is a shame as is a powerful refutation of the lies being spread)

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7305079380433666048/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHBmpLbsBVg/

The featured video here of Montana Ticker in conversation with Ben Shapiro highlights the fact and trend that anti-Semitism, anti-Israel, and anti-Zionism are cool. It’s in the in thing. Yes, it is cool to be anti-Semitic (how sic).

Outside the Pale: The Normalization of Antisemitism

We are witnessing another unsettling trend—antisemitism creeping into mainstream discourse, often under the guise of “nuanced conversations.” Joe Rogan’s podcast recently featured Darryl Cooper, a Holocaust revisionist who falsely claimed that Hitler opposed Kristallnacht. This follows Rogan’s previous decision to platform an antisemitic conspiracy theorist. When influential voices like his spread revisionist lies, they embolden those who would deny or distort Jewish history.

The normalization of such rhetoric is dangerous. It is not paranoia to call out antisemitism when we see it. It is vigilance.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/joe-rogan-hosts-holocaust-revisionist-on-his-podcast-complains-of-paranoid-jews/

The Elephant in the Room: The Draft Exemption Crisis

While Israel’s external enemies seek to divide and destroy us, internal tensions also threaten our cohesion. A recent Jerusalem Post op-ed addressed one of the most pressing issues: the continued draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community. The Supreme Court has ruled that these exemptions cannot continue without explicit legislation, and public frustration is boiling over.

More than 70% of Israelis support drafting the Haredim. The religious Zionist sector, which has always viewed national service as a sacred duty, is beginning to feel betrayed. As secular and national-religious Israelis fight shoulder-to-shoulder, many feel abandoned by their ultra-Orthodox counterparts. Israel’s longest war has deepened these fissures, and the calls for equality in national service are growing louder.

But the solution is not just about drafting the Haredim—it is about restructuring our national priorities. The government must dismantle the perverse incentive structures that encourage perpetual Torah study at the expense of national responsibility. At the same time, Israel must embark on a massive investment in its periphery—prioritizing education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for all sectors of society.

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-846164

Sanctifying God’s Name as Israel’s Mission

I am currently reading If Only My People, a book published in 1984 by the late, former UK Chief Rabbi Emanuel Jakobovits. In his writings, he argues that Israel must be a vehicle for Kiddush Hashem—sanctifying God’s name—through exemplary conduct. He believes the reborn Jewish state has the responsibility to demonstrate the highest ethical standards so that God and Torah will be honoured in the eyes of the world.

In his own words: “Kiddush Hashem has always been the paramount theme in my projection of the Zionist ideal.”​

The Arab war on Israel’s existence from 1947, October 7th, the world’s reaction on October 8th and since then, have all been out of the attack on this mission.

We are not blameless here – from the Left-wing and false narratives to the Haredim and their positions, all have contributed to delegitimising Israel and God’s name.

Returning to Authentic Jewish Values

The answer to our challenges—whether internal or external—is not to abandon our identity but to strengthen it. The division we see today stems from a deviation from authentic Jewish values. Torah does not demand passivity; it demands responsibility. It does not encourage distortions of truth for political gain; it commands justice. It does not promote disunity; it calls for Vayakhel—for the gathering of our people toward a higher purpose.

If we are to rebuild Israel after October 7, we must do so not just with bricks and mortar but with a renewed sense of collective responsibility. We must invest in education that fosters both Torah knowledge and civic duty. We must challenge false narratives, both outside and within our own people. We must reclaim the moral and historical clarity that defines us.

Unity is not about uniformity. It is about shared purpose. Let us seize this moment—not just to respond to the crisis but to build a future that reflects the very best of our heritage and our people.