Parshat Matot-Masei: The Question – August 2, 2024

Numbers 32:6

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִבְנֵי־גָ֖ד וְלִבְנֵ֣י רְאוּבֵ֑ן הַאַֽחֵיכֶ֗ם יָבֹ֙אוּ֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם תֵּ֥שְׁבוּ פֹֽה׃

Moses replied to the Gadites and the Reubenites,
“Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?”


And so you have the daily struggle of Jews living in the diaspora since October 7th. Really, since May 14, 1948 when the modern state of Israel was founded, Jews around the world have had to ask themselves this very question during troubling times like these, “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?”

It’s haunting and profound that Moses’ question, asked over 3000 years ago, is so immediate and so personal. Since October 7th, I’ve seen this question affect our community in different ways. There are some in our community, specifically Murray Lebovitz, who have joined the IDF and are fighting by the side of our Israeli brothers and sisters. There are some in our community who have dropped everything to go to Israel to volunteer on farms, or give moral support to those living in Israel. There are those who have donated to Israeli organizations desperate for financial support to meet the needs of the moment. There are those who pray for the welfare of those who are risking their lives for the Jewish people’s right to live peacefully in the land.

Since the earliest days of the Jewish people, every generation has been called to stand by those who put their lives on the line for our right to live in Israel. We can’t drop everything and serve in the IDF, but we can do something. We can call a friend in Israel to check in, or donate to Israeli organizations. Even a heartfelt prayer can be a powerful expression of solidarity. As we look toward the difficult days ahead, we are called on to do something to support our brothers and sisters. This doesn’t come from me – it comes from Moses himself. 

Office Hours

B’nai Zion Congregation
6210 Airpark Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm

 

Contact

Rabbi Samuel Rotenberg: rabbirotenberg@bzcongregation.com

Autumn Clark, Office Manager: office@bzcongregation.com

Phone: 423.894.8900

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