Yom HaShoah, we remember, not to understand and not even not memorialize the victims, but what we do about it. Through pain and despairs we raised a new generation commited and proud of their heritage.
Yom Hazikaron, we remember the chayalim, killed during action to defend Eretz Yisroel, as well as many of our people being killed in terrorist attacks.
When the siren begins, everyone stops whatever they are doing and commemorate together.
It seems like our existence is a long road of pogroms, persecutions and war, but somehow we do find a way to keep going. Jews do not break, we persevere, when we fall we get up and keep going. There is no goal to perfection, but persistent effort.
Perseverance is our soul power, for holy purposes like building a spiritual home, a sanctuary where emunah is essential to overcome our pain and turning our struggles and challenges into an opportunity for growth.
Our inner strength comes from being proactive and with the ability to get up, knowing struggles are temporary so we can continue our journey on a positive path.
The Jewish value of Hatmada, to persevere, is about not giving up. Commitment and a positive attitude gives us the ability to stick to something eventhough the circumstances are challenging.
One day we mourn, the next day we sing and dance.
From day one a special bond exists between the Torah and the Jewish people, which is expressed in the very first word of the Torah- Bereshis. Often the word Bereshis is translated as " In the beginning," the literally translation is; " In the beginning of..."
Rashi commentary on this word doesn't translate as in, for, but for the sake of:
For the sake of the Torah which is called "ראשית ררכז-- the beginning of HaShem's way, and for the sake of Israel who are called " ראשית תבזאתז-- the first of HaShem's crop -- Yirmiyahu 2: 3.
And so, from the beginning, the Torah and the Jewish people are paired together, for Israel receiving and fulfilling the Torah -- the purpose of creation. Matan Torah defines the Jewish people.
Adressing the Jewish people before they are about to enter the Promised Land, Moshe says to them:
"On this day you have become a nation to HaShem, your G-d."
We are here for Divine purpose from beginning to the End of Days. Following the footsteps of the Moshiach, and doing our part to be worthy and to be zoche to experience the coming of the Moshiach in a prepared and calm way.
Our love for Eretz Yisroel. The nation of Israel, one nation, one soul and one body. Every Jew is a letter in the Torah, for six hundred thousand soul roots of Israel. A shortcoming in one Jew is a shortcoming in the Torah. Whatever our feelings, talking to HaShem instead of finding fault in another Jew. Ahavas Yisroel without exceptions.
Yom Hazikaron, we remember, we mourn the chayalim defending our homeland. The ungoing dispute about the draft. The difference between defending and protecting. Defending when attacked, but the protection comes from HaShem. A core tenet of Jewish faith, especially in a time of crises. Like the mezuzah on our doorposts, an spiritual shield.
HaShem's blessings and the Torah is what kept us surviving. In every generation they tried to destroy us, and it was HaShem who saved us from their hands.
We are grateful to HaShem for protecting us, we recite this every morning in our davening.
To be prepared for the coming of the Moshiach, we focus on the good, acts of chesed, tzedakah, intensifying Torah learning and enhancing unity. Every positive action is building towards Geulah. Forming a unity is necessary, keeping Shabbos holy is ensuring Jewish continuity.
The Rebbe encouraged us to simply studying about the Moshiach, it brings a person into reality. The final step include recognizing that the world is in a final and intense process, and to keep maintaining faith through this process.
The time before the coming of the Moshiach is a period of intense challenges and spiritual awakening.