Rabbi Urges Israelis to Act and Pray Ahead of Crucial Year

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, Rabbi Eliezer Shenvald, head of the Hesder Yeshiva in Modi'in, is calling on Israelis not to succumb to complacency, especially with significant decisions facing the nation in the coming year. He emphasizes the need for both concrete action and spiritual introspection, including prayer, repentance, and personal change.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is traditionally a time when the fates of individuals and the collective are judged. Rabbi Shenvald highlights that the upcoming year is expected to be pivotal for Israel, with elections that will determine the country's future identity, Jewish character, security, settlement policy, and international standing. He also notes the importance of the achievements of the recent war, secured at a high cost, and the future of the religious-Zionist community and its institutions.

He warns against sophisticated campaigns designed to lull the public into ignoring the critical nature of these upcoming decisions. The rabbi stresses that while human action, particularly in electing leaders committed to Israel's Jewish identity and security, is crucial, ultimate destiny also depends on divine judgment. He draws upon Jewish teachings, including the concept that charity, prayer, changing one's name, and changing one's actions can avert harsh decrees.

Rabbi Shenvald explains that the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah serves as a spiritual alarm, awakening people from their spiritual slumber and prompting them to examine their deeds and return to God. This sound, likened to an emergency siren, is meant to inspire alertness and action, not panic. He further elaborates on the tradition of blowing the shofar to "confuse the Satan," interpreted as overcoming the evil inclination that distracts individuals from truth and divine judgment.

He concludes by referencing the teachings of Rabbi Kook, who advocated for unity with the community, especially on Rosh Hashanah eve, to strengthen one's position before the Day of Judgment. The rabbi encourages Israelis to embrace their responsibility through prayer and collective action, citing the traditional prayer for God's sovereignty over the world.