Israel-Gaza War 5784: Through Torah Eyes

On the holiday of Simchat Torah in the Jewish calendar year 5784, or October 7th, 2023, in the Gregorian calendar, Israel was attacked by Hamas, a terrorist organization that rules the Gaza Strip. The cruelties perpetrated by the attackers rivaled anything done by the Nazis to the Jews (and others: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roma/Gypsies, homosexuals, people with disabilities, Poles…), by the Turks to the Armenians, by the Hutus to the Tutsis, by ISIS to their many victims.

On Simchat Torah, the yearly cycle of Torah readings is completed and then begun again, with a portion read each week. In the weeks since October 7th, I and others with whom I study Torah weekly could not help but notice that the Torah we were studying seemed to speak to this horror. As Israel goes to necessary and justified war with Hamas, just as the world went to justified and necessary war against ISIS and the Nazis, I propose to briefly touch on these themes. You are welcome to join me by adding comments. I would love to hear your thoughts, and they don’t have to agree with mine or those of other commenters. I only ask that you be courteous. Dispute ideas vigorously; do not attack people. Thank you!

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Breishit – You Can Rule Sin

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Noach – What Does “Hamas” Mean?

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Lech Lecha – “Let there not be, please, strife between us”

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayeira – To Kill the Righteous Along With the Wicked

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Chayei Sarah – The Price of the Field

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Toldot – From Expulsion and Persecution to a Covenant of Peace

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayeitzei – I Can’t Make You Love Me If You Don’t

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayishlach – How Do We Fight?

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayeisheiv – Who Are You Gonna Believe, Me or Your Lying Eyes?

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Mikeitz – Wisdom and the Good Mother

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayigash – The Jew Among the Nations

Israel-Gaza War 5784: Vayechi – How Do We Fight Redux*, and Welcome to the Hotel Mitzrayim