A Moment in Time: Colleyville – Thank God Our Prayers were Answered (?)

Dear all,

”Thank God our prayers were answered…..”

This is what so many of us felt when the four hostages emerged physically unharmed after the terror in Colleyville when an intruder threatened congregation Beth Israel last Shabbat.

But what if things hadn’t gone so well?  Would we be cursing God?  Would we reason that God doesn’t “work” that way?

Yes, I am thankful.

I am thankful that Rabbi Charlie stood up heroically to face the terrorist.

I am thankful to law enforcement, who mobilized immediately.

I am thankful to community – friends and colleagues around the world  – who stood together in solidarity.

And yes, I am thankful to You, God – but not because You saved the four hostages.  I am thankful to You, God because through Rabbi Charlie, through law enforcement, and through community, You breathed courage into this very scary moment in time.

Friends, I can’t tell you how prayer works. But I am inspired by the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who taught:

“Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.”

With love and Shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro