When we live in comfort and security, it can be difficult to understand the situation of those in peril - even harder to share in the trouble of the unfortunate.
In this week’s Torah portion, the Jewish people are nearing the end of their journey home. After years wandering and fighting they are nearing the finish line. And at the doorposts of the Promised Land, several members of the tribes of Reuben and Gad approach Moses and request permission to remain outside of the Land of Israel. As shepherds, they wished to remain in the lands on the east side of the Jordan River – in “cattle country” – ideal for pasturing. The request infuriates Moses. “Your brothers go into battle and you will sit here?!”
At the core of Moses’ rebuttal is the understanding that our tradition demands of us collective responsibility. The Talmud teaches Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh – All Jews are responsible for one another. This doesn’t mean that Jews should only care about other Jews. Quite the contrary! Our tradition has much to say about the society we must work to build and our role in being a light to the nations. The commandment most repeated in the Torah is to care for the other and the stranger. However, we recognize that there is a connection between every Jew that binds us together and provokes us to action. We don’t have the luxury to sit on the sideline and be spectators when there are those in need.
This belief is at the root of why our our small, but mighty Jewish community of the Virginia peninsula responded quickly, boldly and without hesitation to raise over $100,000 for the Ukrainians caught in the Russian crossfire. As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth month, Jewish communities across the United States and our international partners are ensuring that urgent relief continues to reach the neediest, including both refugees who have fled, as well as those remaining in Ukraine. Generous donors like you have helped to raise over $71 million collectively for Ukraine relief since the fighting began. And thanks to you, our core partners are saving lives in and beyond Ukraine during this crisis:
- The Jewish Agency for Israel has evacuated over 13,000 Jews and has helped over 25,000 immigrate to Israel.
- JDC has fed over 48,000 people and housed over 20,000 refugees, delivering 477 tons of humanitarian aid.
- World ORT is serving as a lifeline to thousands of Ukrainian students, teachers, and their families, providing food and other supplies, financial aid, medicine, paramedic assistance, and transport.
You can read more about their vital work here.
The two tribes reassure Moses that they intend to participate in the conquest of the land and would not return to their own pastures until every Israelite is settled in the land. We are reminded this week that regardless of where we choose to live – whether across the Jordan River or across the Atlantic Ocean – we too are responsible for one another.
Shabbat Shalom,
Eric Maurer
Executive Director
emaurer@ujcvp.org