Jewish faith

“When my friends asked, ‘Arnie, why is it that you have faith and we don’t?’ — I tried to figure out what experiences in my life made me open to the possibility of faith,” he said last week.

Like Elisha, we must combine faith in miracles with direct, personal action. Our wounded defenders need not only our prayers; they need our presence, support, and commitment.

That is “Hatikvah,” the Hope. Along with faith and courage, it is the secret of our survival.

As we committed on Simchat Torah to dancing again, we are commanded to remember the victims of October 7 and refuse to let our faith dwindle.

Rabbis who are traditionally spiritual leaders in their communities have faced a whole new level of challenges from congregants and from the need to maintain their own spiritual balance post-Oct. 7.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov teaches that joy can coexist with sorrow. After a personal tragedy, one rabbi reflects on how pain can lead to growth and renewal, offering insights for the new year.

This year’s challenges have tested our faith, but prayer remains a means for introspection and reassessing our priorities.

As we get closer to October 7th, the eternal wisdom of the Torah on unity and national resilience resonates with renewed urgency and offers timely guidance for navigating our present challenges.

This is the wisdom that Kohelet imparts: In a world full of vanities, savoring the moment of joy is the key to a meaningful life.