“Be the Light.”
So much pain all around.
So much suffering.
We feel the devastation, the anguish of loss.
The tragedy is inescapable—it up close and personal.
Darkness threatens to envelop the world,
but the Jewish response has always been the same: bring light.
The menorah in the Tabernacle burned faithfully—
a Ner Tamid, an everlasting flame.
Inside each of us is a spark of that original, hidden lightthat God created at the beginning of time.
It shines when we: act with kindness and compassion, stand against evil,
do mitzvot, learn Torah.
By connecting to God’s light, we, too, illuminate the world.
Next week, we celebrate Purim.
To counter Haman’s evil, we are commanded to give gifts of food to friends and
help those in need.
Unity. Love. Community.
B’tzelem Elokim— we who are created in God’s image,
are called to reflect God’s goodness.
When the Jewish people miscalculated Moses’ return from Sinai,
they fell into worshiping the Golden Calf.
God “wanted” to erase them and start anew with Moses.
But Moses refused to abandon his people.
He pleaded:“Erase me from Your book if You will not forgive them.”
His bond with them was unbreakable.
That same connection exists within us.
We are one people. One root system. One soul. Indivisible.
Let us respond to darkness with: Tears. Prayers. Love. Goodness. Unity. Light.
The menorah’s pure olive oil came from olives pressed under pressure—
the first drops were the clearest, symbolizing the wisdom and illumination of Torah.
That light, our light, is the holy response that dispels darkness.
God is the source of all light.
And in the end, it’s about connection—to God, to mitzvot, to Torah, and to each other.
Do good. Be good.
Let Purim remind us that unity and love can transform the world.
Let us be a source of blessing and light.
May we be part of the healing.
May we succeed in erasing hatred, anger, and darkness.
Sending love,
Elissa
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