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From Tears to Song: A New Year’s Call for Faith and Resilience


As the New Year approaches, the Jewish people will reflect on the past year with a sense of trepidation.


The shock and horror of the October 7th attacks, which triggered assaults on six fronts, have left Israel confronting an existential threat.


The crisis has been further exacerbated by relentless international condemnation of Israel's right to self-defense, alongside an unprecedented surge in antisemitism.


So in light of the above how should we, as a people approach the New Year? 


Elie Wiesel, in a deeply moving article, recounts his first private audience with the Rebbe, a conversation that lasted nearly an entire night. He described it as “a turning point in my writing.”


After a long night of soul-searching centered on the theme of faith after Auschwitz, Wiesel turns to the Rebbe and says, “You asked what I expect of you, and I said nothing. I was mistaken. Make me able to cry.”


After a long pause, the Rebbe turned to Elie Wiesel and said, 

“That’s not enough. I shall teach you to sing.”


This past year, our people in the Land of Israel have endured great suffering, and the global Jewish community has been shaken to its core. We have every reason to feel anxious and uncertain about the future.


Or, we can rise and shine our light to the world, rejoicing and singing, inspired by our faith and trust in our Father in Heaven, who has shown His love through spectacular miracles, especially in recent weeks.


We can cry or we can sing!


This year, let us choose life.

Let us choose faith and trust in G-d.

Let us choose to see the miracles.

Let us choose gratitude for His kindness.

Let us choose to celebrate and sing as we receive the ultimate and timely blessing of security and peace for the Jewish people, in the Land of Israel and around the world.


Shana Tova

Yosef Vogel

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