Dear Friends,

As Israel once again finds itself on the front lines, courageously standing up against evil, we must pause and pray—for the safety and success of our brothers and sisters, and for peace in our holy land. Though we may be physically far, their pain is our pain. Their struggle is our struggle.

Let us each take a moment to reflect on a good deed, a heartfelt prayer, or the study of Torah that we can dedicate in their merit. Every act matters. Every mitzvah counts. Together, we can bring light to even the darkest moments.

In this week's Parsha, we read about the Jewish people’s journeys through the desert:

“At the command of Hashem they camped, and at the command of Hashem they journeyed” (Bamidbar 9:23).

It sounds orderly and purposeful—until we look closer. Sometimes they camped for a year, sometimes just a night. They unpacked everything, only to move again the next morning. It must have felt confusing, even frustrating. But the Torah insists: every stop and every move was exactly according to Hashem’s word.

There is a profound message here for us today.

In life—and certainly in these times—we often feel thrown off course. A plan collapses. A dream is delayed. A war breaks out. We ask, “Why this detour?” But just like in the desert, every station of our lives has a purpose, even those that feel like wasted time or senseless pain.

The Baal Shem Tov once sent a student on a seemingly pointless journey to a distant village. After much confusion and delay, the student finally realized that his detour allowed him to inspire a forgotten Jew and spark a spiritual return. What felt random was, in truth, divinely orchestrated.

So too today: even in moments of fear, confusion, or darkness, we must trust the journey. Even the stops are stations of the soul.

And when we see darkness in the world, the Rebbe taught us that our response must be to increase in light.

Now is the time to act:

• Men and boys over Bar Mitzvah: Please put on tefillin—even just for a moment. If you need help, reach out; one of the rabbis will gladly assist you.

• Women and girls: Light Shabbat candles tomorrow before sunset. Bring spiritual light and protection into your home and into the world.

• Everyone: Give tzedakah (charity). No amount is too small. In the merit of our giving, may G-d protect our people and our soldiers. Tzedakah has the power to change harsh decrees and bring blessings and peace.

• And most of all, pray—with your whole heart—for Israel, for her people, for the brave soldiers of the IDF, and for the safe and swift return of all our hostages.

May G-d watch over them and bring us all strength, peace, and redemption.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin