I was in New York this past weekend for the annual conference of Chabad rabbis, the largest conference of rabbis in the world. Generally there are also about 1200 rabbis who come in from Israel, representing some of Chabad's religious, social, educational and humanitarian organizations in the Holy Land. 

This year, most of them did not attend. They are reeling from the barbaric massacres of October 7 by Palestinian terrorists. Right now they are remaining with their communities, serving in the reserves, and in the rabbinate identifying the dead, volunteering to assist the citizens of Israel, and keeping their families safe as they come under daily indiscriminate bombardment from Hamas rockets aimed at their homes, schools and hospitals. 

A most inspiring moment of the conference was when a young boy from Sderot, Avraham Pizem, addressed the conference. I encourage you to watch his speech here and how he describes the twelve seconds, T W E L V E seconds, he has to run to shelter every time he hears the sirens, and the opportunity to do good he has in those twelve seconds! This was his first time in America. His father told me when they came to the house they were staying in New York, the boy asked where the closest bomb shelter was… He has never experienced a reality without one. 

We Jews are not regular people. While our enemies seek to destroy us, we find more ways to grow and build. While they indoctrinate their children to hate (videos show kindergartens and camps in Gaza with children leading skits of murdering Jews), we teach our children to love. While those against Israel, march with calls for Israel’s destruction and the genocide of Jews (“Intifada! Intifada!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” i.e., the entire area from the Jordan River until the Mediterranean Sea will be free of Jews), we march calling for the security of our people and the release of all the hostages.

Over the past few weeks, I have been inspired again and again by the outpouring of support for Israel and the Jewish people we have received from so many in Sioux Falls and across the state. As someone wrote to me: “The vast majority of South Dakotans have the good common sense to differentiate between Good and Evil, and they recognize Hamas for the antisemitic disease that it is [and] the public demonstrations in support [of it]. Rest assured that should this Evil creep into Sioux Falls, there will be thousands of Gentiles who stand ready to defend, and publicly stand with, the Jewish people of Sioux Falls.”

Within the Jewish community, there has also been a spiritual revival, with so many looking for additional ways to proudly demonstrate their being Jewish, and doing another mitzvah. As the world puts pressure on Israel, and Jews around the world feel more vulnerable, we must be more united and more proud than ever. We must continue to be there for each other. 
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There is not a single enemy of Jewish people who is not calling for a ceasefire. That should tell us something. No person who cares for Jews would demand they stop defending themselves against Hamas. A ceasefire would be a gift to the Hamas terrorists who want to murder, rape, shoot, burn and kidnap more Jews. They don’t hide their intentions and we can’t be naïve. Only our firm recognition that the Holy Land is an eternal gift given from G-d to the people of Israel, and a decisive victory by Israel that completely neutralizes the enemy, will restore peace and security.
May G-d ensure the safe return of the hostages, bring healing to the wounded, and protect the brave men and women of the IDF and the people of Israel. As it's written, "The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers..." and "I shall grant peace upon the Land..."

In dark tunnels in Gaza, some 241 innocent men, women, and children are being held hostage by Palestinian terrorists.

The Talmud offers an intriguing teaching that even when faced with a sharp sword at one's neck, one should not lose hope or refrain from seeking Divine mercy. Some may view this as a lofty concept, perhaps only achievable with a dose of naivete . How can one maintain such resolve, and what follows even if they manage to do so?

But this was not the response of Margalit Megidish.

Her daughter, Ori, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists during the barbaric assault on October 7. The greatest fear a parent can experience is the unimaginable dread that their child is in the clutches of evil individuals in the worst possible place on earth. The idea that Jewish people share a neighborhood with such individuals is difficult to fathom.

Margalit, however, did not succumb to despair. She clung to hope and strengthened her faith in G-d. Remarkably, she had a Torah scroll brought into her daughter's room, and she fervently prayed. In an emotional video captured by another family member, she is seen praying earnestly while preparing the Shabbat challah (a special mitzvah for women), even declaring amidst her emotions, 'G-d, I love you.' She seemed to be in a state of serenity and hope, rather than hysteria. 

Some may question the depth of such faith, and associate it with shallowness and lack of sophistication. 'How can I believe in G-d and love Him when I feel He has abandoned me?' they might ask.

Yet, miraculously, Margalit's daughter, Ori, was rescued from Gaza and reunited with her family. To date, she is one of only five individuals to have left Gaza and the only one to be rescued.

This profound level of faith, which transcends understanding and rationality, is aptly described by the 11th-century philosopher, Rabbi Bahya ben Joseph ibn Pakuda, in his work Sha’ar HaBitachon. He likens deep faith to someone locked in a dungeon, knowing that only one other person in the world holds the key, and your only hope lies in that individual unlocking the door. Similarly, one's faith in G-d should be absolute, recognizing that our fate is entirely in His hands alone.

It may be difficult for us to experience such unwavering and deep faith, but let us take inspiration from Margalit Megidish who demonstrated that it is possible. As the verse proclaims, and we must always remember, “It is not by our strength or might of our hand, but it is He who gives strength.” 
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May G-d ensure the safe return of the hostages, bring healing to the wounded, and protect the brave men and women of the IDF and the people of Israel. As it's written, "The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers..." and "I shall grant peace upon the Land..."