fbpx

A Moment in Time: “I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains”

There was an incredible moment of light this week, shared by our member, Leah Potok.
[additional-authors]
October 12, 2023

Dear all,

In the new reality we are in as Hamas terrorists have raped our homeland, Israel, I’ve tried to start my weekly Moment in Time 1000 times. I want to write something profound. I want to share something you may not have thought of. I want to inspire you with hope or determination or comfort.

And I’ll admit. It’s been hard.

There was an incredible moment of light this week, shared by our member, Leah Potok. She received this photo from a friend in which the sun illuminated the clouds, forming a Jewish star. It reminded me of the 121st Psalm, which begins, “I lift my eyes to the mountains, what is the source of my help? My help comes from Adonai, Maker of Heaven and earth.”

The photo was like a message from God. It gave me incredible peace. And it reminded me:

Yes, let’s lift our eyes. But let’s also look to one another.

Please, please – be present for those who need a hug.

Be receptive to those who need an ear.

Be loving to those who feel alone.

Be there, BE THERE for our community, who needs YOU.

With love and shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

A Bisl Yom Kippur~ Plenty of Regrets

Yom Kippur is admitting our plentiful regrets and summoning and building our inner determination and drive to be better people, regrets, and all.

Expanding the Soul

There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.

Making Torah More Accessible

The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.

Avi Nesher Fights the Boycott with a Human Story

Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.

Knowing Our History

In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.

My Choice for Essay of the Year

The collective assault against Israel has been so broad and deep it’s been hard finding anyone in the mainstream media who will dare go after the Hamas murderers whose biggest victims are the Palestinians.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.