Writing the Waves

There is no separating the threads of this conflict. Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis—all are extensions of the same mission: the destruction of Israel. The ongoing crisis with hostages, cross- border attacks, and the existential threats Israel faces are not isolated events. They are coordinated acts within a single, deeply rooted campaign of annihilation.

It is heartbreaking to witness the hesitation—the hand-wringing—over whether the United States should get involved. This is not just Israel’s fight. And it is certainly not just the Jews’ fight. If the metaphor of the canary in the coal mine has ever meant anything, this is its ultimate fulfillment.

Israel is on the front lines of the battle for civilization.

Iran orchestrates terror through proxies while developing nuclear capabilities. Israel, in defense of its people and future, surgically targets Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists whose open mission is to destroy the Jewish state. Israel strikes weapons depots and terror cells—strategically and with precision.

In return, Iran and its proxies indiscriminately launch missiles into Israeli cities, aiming not for military targets, but for civilians—men, women, and children. No defense system, not even Israel’s advanced ones, can stop every missile. The suffering is real, and the stakes are mortal.

Today, I pray—for clarity, for sanity, and above all, for courageous action.

Let us not forget the words of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has referred to Israel as the “Little Satan,” and the United States as the “Great Satan.” This war isn’t just about Israel—it’s about all of us who value freedom, human dignity, and the right to exist.

Israel is not evil. Israel is not the aggressor. Israel has been defending itself—and by extension,
the values of the free world—since 1948.

Israel is the tip of the spear.

A Prayer for Israel in this Time of War by Rabbi Naomi Levy (written soon after October 7, 2023)

God, our Strength and Protection, we pray for the State of Israel in this devastating time of war, shock and grief. Our hearts are breaking, God. We pray for the lives of the innocent civilians who have been heartlessly kidnapped by Hamas, bring them home, watch over them, God. We pray for the lives of the soldiers who have been taken captive, we pray for their safe return, shelter them, God. We pray for the souls of the innocent victims who were brutally slaughtered. Send comfort and strength, God, to the grieving. Send healing to the injured, and strength and wisdom to their doctors and nurses. We pray for all our brothers and sisters in Israel in this time of tragedy and crisis. 

Watch over Israel, God, spread Your shelter of peace over the land and over all our brothers and sisters who live there. Shine Your light upon Israel’s leaders, officers and advisers, innocent blood is calling out to them to overcome all divisiveness and to act with clarity and determination. Protect the men and women who defend Israel, let them be safe and may they be victorious over the Hamas terrorists who attacked our people. Watch over them, God. Hear their prayers. Bring peace, God. Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm. Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed. Peace, God, please, God. 

God of the brokenhearted, God of the living, God of the dead, gather the souls of the victims into Your eternal shelter. Let them find peace in Your presence, God. Their lives have ended, but their lights can never be extinguished. May they shine on us always and illuminate our way.

Amen.