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Daily Devotional

For Zion’s Sake

August 8, 2019 - 12:00 am

This Devotional's Hebrew Word


(How are you?)

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her vindication shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch. — Isaiah 62:1

At sundown Aug. 10, Jews around the world commemorate Tisha B’Av, a time of mourning that marks the many tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history on this particular date. Yet from this time of sorrow comes a ray of hope. This is one of nine devotions from the timeless teachings of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein exploring how we can find comfort in the depths of tragedy and transform darkness into light. To learn more about Tisha B’Av, download a copy of our complimentary Bible Study.

Chloe Valdary is an unlikely Zionist activist. She is a young college student from New Orleans where organized events on campus against Israel are the norm. Chloe isn’t Jewish and she has never been to Israel, but Chloe is a Christian and is devoted to the Bible.

Chloe also believes that it is her duty to spread the truth; not just to believe it, but to act upon it. She began an on-campus group called “Allies for Israel” and has become a spokesperson on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. Chloe says, “I have just one question . . . How dedicated are you, indeed, are we, to the maxim of ‘never again?’”

This week, we read verses from the final readings of “The Seven Comforts” that lead right up to the High Holy Days. In this week’s reading, we come across this well-known quote from the prophet Isaiah: For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet . . .” This has become the basis of the actions of so many of Israel’s dearest friends.

This is the impetus behind initiatives like Chloe’s and others who are doing all they can to spread the truth about Israel. It is also the source of great comfort for the Jewish people. For a people who have been persecuted and alienated for millennia, it is deeply comforting to know that we are no longer alone.

As Chloe Valdary writes, “A feeling is merely that if there is no action that follows it. Reflection and action are two things that are rendered worthless if one is not accompanied by the other.” It is not enough to love Israel in our hearts. We need to love Israel and the people of Israel with our hands and with our voices.

Israel needs friends now more than ever. She needs people who are willing to stand up even if they are standing alone. People who are willing to write and speak and teach the truth about Israel “till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.”

There is a great healing going on between the Christian and Jewish communities. Israel is strengthened and comforted by the help of her Christian friends, and we are proud to play a major role in building bridges between the two faiths at The Fellowship.

Please join us in blessing the Jewish people both in deeds and with words. For Israel’s sake, do not remain silent. The world was silent once; let us declare with our actions and words, “Never again!”

Learn more about the darkest day on the Jewish calendar in this complimentary issue of our Bible study series, Limmud (“study” in Hebrew), “Tisha B’AV: A Time to Weep.”

     

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