This Week’s Music: https://youtu.be/wEQYpCcnmnE

Dear Friends

I want to take this time to offer a little blessing about seeing and hearing the good around us.

There is so much good happening here in The Holy Land, in spite of what some might want us to think. My chavruta, Rabbi Alan Goldman, recently called my attention to an article regarding a book, “Israeli Judaism-A Cultural Revolution,” written by Shmuel Rosner and Prof Camil Fuchs. They reported that through surveys which they conducted they found that more than 80% of the Israeli Jewish population has a dedicated Friday night Shabbat dinner. 78% light Chanukah “candles” each of the 8 nights of Chanukah.

87% of those surveyed say that is important for them to be Jewish, and 86% say that is important that their children will be Jewish. The Jews in Israel feel Jewish because their surroundings are Jewish, their calendar is Jewish, their customs are Jewish, and their language is Hebrew. The vast majority of Jews in Israel celebrate the Seder on Passover, light candles on Hanukkah, enjoy a family dinner on Friday night, circumcise their sons, eat apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah, and fast on Yom Kippur – because for them, this is what Jews living in Israel do.

In two other surveys I read, more than 80% of Israeli Jews believe in God. Listen to reports of “chayalim,” holy Israeli soldiers and they will tell you that they are taught about “the miracles” that occurred during the six day war and other military operations.

In short, we are blessed to be living among millions of beautiful caring spiritual family.

Please, let’s look and listen to the good and note all of the beautiful things happening around us.

This is the perfect time, right after our Yom Kippur cleansing , as we prepare for the joyous holiday of Sukkot and the gates are wide open for us to serve Hashem, “bsimchah uv’tuv levav,” with joy and a good heart. “Vsamachta bchagecha v’hayita ACH Sameach,” we should all rejoice in this beautiful holiday experience only happiness.

Hashem, please see the intense “ratzon,” will and desire that Am Israel has for Peace and goodness and allow us to help You help us all to experience this in our lifetime.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Yehudah