With Others and For Them

“There are two ways to defend your house against enemies,” said Yehuda Halevi, the 12th century sage who adored Zion. “One is to build a wall around your own house. The other is to join with your neighbors and build a wall around your town. The first is more costly and less protective. The second acts with others and for them. It’s more effective and more securing.” (Kuzari III:19)

In the early hours of the IDF’s current efforts to neutralize Iran, one of the world’s arch-enemies of peace, Jordanian forces helped shoot down Iran’s drones. Lebanese leadership warned Hezbollah against aggression. 

As we prepare to greet an uncertain Shabbat, the prophet Zechariah, whose words are found in this week’s prophetic passage, takes us by the hand and leads us forward. 

“Many nations will accompany the Lord on that day…on that day, says the Lord of Hosts, each of you will invite his neighbor beneath the vine and beneath the fig tree” (Zech. 2:15, 3:10). 

Beyond global rhetoric, consider this personal account from a dear friend, Rachel Sharansky Danziger. 

“I am currently on a grounded airplane in Cyprus. We were 10 minutes from Tel Aviv when the airspace was closed. I’ve long thought about visiting this island. I would have preferred to do it intentionally, but oh well.

“Here’s the good news: everyone on the plane is taking care of each other. The crew took out toys for the kids. Passengers are loaning phones to each other. This nice American girl opened a hot spot for half the plane. People are offering food and hugs of encouragement.

“I am away from home. I want my family. But in an airplane filled with strangers, I am surrounded by my people, and they are my family too.”

Our prophet leaves us off with sturdy and lasting guidance, “Not by might and not by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zech. 4:6). May you and I embrace that spirit, joining together with our neighbors to build a safer world with and for them. Am Yisrael Chai.