Sydney

Dear friends,

One of the many sad aspects of the horrific terror attack in Sydney was that it wasn't all that surprising. Instead, my first thoughts were about who did it. Was it a White Supremacist? A Muslim? A random act of violence like we saw the day before it at Brown? All kinds of options would make sense. 

If this tragedy was a sign from above - and it’s hard not to view it that way when it comes on the first night of a holiday that celebrates surviving an attempted genocide - then it is signaling a few things. 

First, all kinds of people of different faiths, backgrounds and politics hate us right now. If we didn't know it already, we are in a deeply precarious moment for our people. The genie is out of the lamp and takes on many forms. We have to be extremely vigilant about protecting ourselves.

The second sign has to do with the way in which we protect ourselves. A great hero of this tragedy was 43 year-old Ahmed El-Ahmed, may he heal and return to full health. It was a Muslim and his son who committed the murders, and it was another Muslim who risked his life and saved many Jewish lives. The fruit seller who snuck up on the shooter and disarmed him, and then took two bullets from the second shooter, appeared as if to tell us that just like we Jews are a diverse group, so are Muslims, and so is every other people. Our vigilance to protect ourselves can never include any trace of the same bigotry that drove the murderers to commit their heinous crimes. The test of our time is whether we can maintain our clear view of humanity even when we are under attack. 

Hanukkah is about seeing the eternal light that was temporarily blocked from our view. We often see darkness where there is also light. We are not alone. We have literally billions of allies. So many more allies than foes. That should be clear from the overwhelming response to this attack all over the world. Among the many clear condemnations I read posts by Palestinians in Gaza who were horrified that the day on which they marked the death of their loved ones one year ago in an IDF bombing was the day on which all these innocent Jews were shot in Australia. People of all types and creeds are our allies in humanity. This is the light that we must kindle again this evening, and tomorrow and each evening until Sunday: the light that allows us to see who else is in the room with us. We may see the haters first. But as the light increases, more and more lovers come into view. And in that light we might also see ourselves.

Let us look at the candles and see things as they are. And let us remain true to who we are. 

Finally, this tragedy tempts us to succumb to fear and sadness and not celebrate our holiday. We should remember that it took place on the first night of the holiday of resistance. The Macabees did not face an attempt to physically annihilate them, but to spiritually extinguish the flame. This holiday is about celebrating the holiday no matter what else may be happening, about continuing our traditions in the face of danger and bigotry. So let us light the candles these next seven nights as a way of re-dedicating ourselves to our age old tradition and the light it brings into our lives. Let us reconnect with its essential message of living in harmony with all of God's creatures, and fighting for the eternal light to shine.

May the wounded heal. May the mourners find comfort. May the souls we lost find rest, and their memories be a blessing.

If any of you are startled and would like to speak with me, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

With wishes for a peaceful and happy Hanukkah,
Rabbi Misha