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Be Strong, Be Strong, and May We Strengthen One Another
01/09/2025 03:40:11 PM
Rabbi Bryan Wexler
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Today, our hearts are not only in the East with our brothers and sisters in Israel, but they are also in the West as a number of devastating wildfires continue to ravage California. We thank God for the brave work of first responders and firefighters, and we are grateful for the safety of the evacuees. Yet, we know that the loss of homes and communities has been immense, including the burning down of the Conservative synagogue, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center.
In chapter 19 of I Kings, we read a story about Elijah and God that had to do with wind and fire.
“Come out,” God called, “and stand on the mountain before GOD.”
And lo, GOD passed by. There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by GOD’s power; but GOD was not in the wind.
After the wind—an earthquake; but GOD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake—fire; but GOD was not in the fire.
And after the fire—a soft murmuring sound.
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his mantle about his face and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice addressed him: “Why are you here, Elijah?”
This exchange between God and Elijah certainly resonates today, teaching that God is not the cause of natural disasters, but rather, God is found in the response, in the gentleness that follows. But even more, this gentle voice asks a powerful question: Why are you here? And I believe this question may be an important one for us right now as well. As the fires burn in California, causing some to lose everything, this is a moment to ask: Why are we here? What is our responsibility? What can we (and must we) do to help?
Just as God is present in moments of destruction, suffering, and loss, so must we be as well, and it is through our presence, love, and support that we respond and, ultimately, help rebuild. As recommended by the Rabbinical Assembly, one way to help at this moment is to donate to either the USCJ Disaster Relief Fund or the Jewish Federation Los Angeles’s Wild Fire Crisis Fund. This will provide direct support to those who need it most.
As we conclude the book of Genesis this Shabbat, we will say together the words Hazak Hazak V’nithazeik—be strong, be strong, and may we strengthen one another. I hope you will join us in shul this Shabbat as we celebrate Hazak Shabbat (thank you in advance to the leadership and members of Hazak who will be leading the service as well as chanting Torah and Haftarah) and as we say to one another in order to ultimately say to people in California: Hazak Hazak V’nithazeik. Why are we here? To bring strength and to strengthen one another.
Wed, January 22 2025
22 Tevet 5785
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
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