Jews respond I am not the kind of Jew who haters hate.  Some renounce Zionism.  Others distance themselves from Jews who do not share their commitments.  But such internal distinctions or philosophical debates are lost on antisemites.  It’s the Jew who antisemites hate not the imagined “those other Jews” or “not my kind of Jew.”

Blessings serve to remind us of some truth.  When we see the ocean, and say the blessing, we are reminded that God provided such awesome beauty for us.  And when we see a vast multitude of people, we must remember that every individual holds some truth.

Listen to Sarah and Yaron’s words taken from their LinkedIn profiles. That is the strange thing about the power of social media. People live on. In the virtual world, Sarah and Yaron still speak in the present tense. So let us allow their words, and their dreams, to speak to this week’s terror. Let them respond to our sorrow.

I wish to run from the Jewish time bomb’s explosive force.  I wish no longer to say “Amen” to the endless recitation of our woes.  I wish to affirm the efforts of those writing a new story, of bringing blessings to the land.  The Torah suggests that peace is in our hands.  It is dependent on living by God’s demands. 

Providing for the poor is just as important as all the holiday prayers we offer! Ensuring that the poor not only have enough food to eat but are offered the dignity of gathering their own food is equivalent to all our pious rituals. These acts are even equal to building, and decorating, our sanctuaries.

We learn that even the most seemingly ridiculous question might lead to greater understanding.  If it serves as an entry to more learning, to a life of meaning then it is not demeaning of even the greatest of scholars.