Act As Though Everything Depends on You

What I heard at Shabbat services tonight.

I just got home from Shabbat services at the synagogue I’ve been going to. It’s the only time all week when I really feel safe, surrounded by Jewish people and lots of good security.

The Rabbi always says, “Pray as though everything depends on God. Act as though everything depends on you.”

After the service several of us stayed, talking about the incidents of virulent Jew hatred we are seeing in our city, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, supporting each other. It was wonderful to be in solidarity with Jewish people, in a place where we can openly fly the Israeli flag. The cantor spoke of his recent trip, and of the tremendous solidarity of the people. He met recently released hostages. He said the tension and the fear are still evident in their bodies. They still have family members being held prisoner.

Here in parts of the US it has become quite fashionable to hate Israel and all who support Israel, or might be suspected of doing so. Even as more information comes out about the horrific sexual torture of Israeli women by Hamas, many excuse or deny that reality and blame those who were attacked.

I was recently told that something I wrote “reeks of Zionist sympathy.” Illuminating choice of words, don’t you think?

I will not be terrorized into silence. I will not say, “Yes, but…” and do nothing while Israel fights for survival. I don’t have a dragon (yet) but I can write. And I will continue to do so. I pray as though everything depends on God, and write as though everything depends on me. A tall order indeed. Many of us are conditioned to think that what we do does not matter, and that we should accept things instead of acting. I don’t know what depends on me and what doesn’t, but when I am called to stand by my Jewish brothers and sisters, in Israel, the US or anywhere, I will always answer.