Martin H. van den Bergh

This war is about the survival of the Jewish People and defending the State of Israel, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, both spiritually and physically. Traveling through Israel consistently evokes admiration for its beauty and transformation into a prosperous land since the establishment of the State of Israel.

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One of the notable sites is Masada, which harmonizes the spiritual and physical splendour of Israel. My initial visit to Masada was many years ago with a group of educators from the UK. We ascended Masada from the west side early in the morning to witness the sunrise in the east as we prayed Shachrit in the ruins of the synagogue on top of Masada. These ruins contain a depression where the Chazan would lead prayers, a feature still present in many Ashkenazi synagogues today. This echoes the Psalmist's words, "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord” (Psalm 130:1), illustrating our need to approach prayer with humility, recognizing the privilege of communicating with G-d.

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The Torah's writing of ויקרא with a small Alef further emphasizes humility, particularly that of Moses, as highlighted by Rabbi Meir of Rothenberg (1215-1293). When calling to G-d in prayer, whether seeking protection or expressing gratitude for redemption as observed during Pesach, it is vital to do so humbly.

In these times, as we pray for G-d’s protection over the Land of Israel and the release of remaining hostages, it is essential to approach our prayers earnestly, and hope they transform into prayers of joy.