As a member of Rabbis for Ceasefire since it first began organizing nearly two years ago, I cannot help feeling a mix of joy and pessimism upon the news this week of a ceasefire proposal accepted by both Israel and Hamas. May indeed a sukkat shalom – a canopy of peace of this ceasefire – be real and true and lasting. Though without atonement for a genocide, without a path to Palestinian self-determination, nor without certainty of withdrawal, any joy of returning hostages and prisoners is quite mixed with cynicism – perhaps a worried expression of sincere hope.
Rabbis for Ceasefire released a statement yesterday that said it well:
“The holiday of Sukkot brings us to return to the words of Kohelet. Traditionally attributed to King Solomon at the end of his life, this book holds both deep despair and profound hope. Its most famous lines feel especially resonant now:
“A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…
A time to give birth and a time to die…
A time to kill and a time to heal…
a time to break and a time to build…
a time of wailing and a time of dancing…
A time to love and a time to hate…
a time for war and a time for peace”
With the announcement of the first phase of a ceasefire deal and the release of Israeli and Palestinian hostages, we fervently hope we are entering a time for peace, a time for loving, a time for rebuilding. Yet Kohelet also reminds us:
“Humans cannot guess the events that occur under the sun.”
We hold out hope that this is a permanent ceasefire, but cannot know what comes next. What we can do is remain ready to ensure peace, justice, and healing to Palestinians in Gaza and accountability for Israel’s genocide - refusing to let it begin again after the hostage exchange.
As we pray in our Sukkot the words of Hallel we add:
May this day bring freedom and safety for Palestinians in Gaza.
May we feel relief and joy with the families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners reuniting with their loved ones.
May the gates swing open to allow life saving humanitarian aid to flow abundantly into Gaza.
May we hold hope alongside fear as we prepare for the work ahead—of accountability, repair, and healing.
May this first step be lasting.
כן יהי רצון
May it be so.”
May pessimism and cynicism be transformed into joy and gratitude, healing and justice, through accountability, atonement, and a lasting peace.
Shabbat shalom and mo'adim l'simcha,
R’ David
PS – Whether this ceasefire holds or not (and may it hold!), people remain in need of aid in Gaza. During the High Holidays, Kadima has raised nearly $10,000 for Gaza Soup Kitchen at time of this writing with 84 contributors. Help us get to 100 contributors by Simchat Torah this Tuesday! And watch this video of gratitude from Gaza Soup Kitchen to Rabbis for Ceasefire who was one of the instigators of the many such High Holiday tzedakah campaigns.
Rabbis for Ceasefire released a statement yesterday that said it well:
“The holiday of Sukkot brings us to return to the words of Kohelet. Traditionally attributed to King Solomon at the end of his life, this book holds both deep despair and profound hope. Its most famous lines feel especially resonant now:
“A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…
A time to give birth and a time to die…
A time to kill and a time to heal…
a time to break and a time to build…
a time of wailing and a time of dancing…
A time to love and a time to hate…
a time for war and a time for peace”
With the announcement of the first phase of a ceasefire deal and the release of Israeli and Palestinian hostages, we fervently hope we are entering a time for peace, a time for loving, a time for rebuilding. Yet Kohelet also reminds us:
“Humans cannot guess the events that occur under the sun.”
We hold out hope that this is a permanent ceasefire, but cannot know what comes next. What we can do is remain ready to ensure peace, justice, and healing to Palestinians in Gaza and accountability for Israel’s genocide - refusing to let it begin again after the hostage exchange.
As we pray in our Sukkot the words of Hallel we add:
May this day bring freedom and safety for Palestinians in Gaza.
May we feel relief and joy with the families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners reuniting with their loved ones.
May the gates swing open to allow life saving humanitarian aid to flow abundantly into Gaza.
May we hold hope alongside fear as we prepare for the work ahead—of accountability, repair, and healing.
May this first step be lasting.
כן יהי רצון
May it be so.”
May pessimism and cynicism be transformed into joy and gratitude, healing and justice, through accountability, atonement, and a lasting peace.
Shabbat shalom and mo'adim l'simcha,
R’ David
PS – Whether this ceasefire holds or not (and may it hold!), people remain in need of aid in Gaza. During the High Holidays, Kadima has raised nearly $10,000 for Gaza Soup Kitchen at time of this writing with 84 contributors. Help us get to 100 contributors by Simchat Torah this Tuesday! And watch this video of gratitude from Gaza Soup Kitchen to Rabbis for Ceasefire who was one of the instigators of the many such High Holiday tzedakah campaigns.
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