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"Death
has arisen in our windows" (Jeremiah 9:20). Today, America has
been struck by terrorist attacks, the likes of which we have never known in our
great country. These horrific actions were not aimed at Americans or Capitalists,
Jews or Gentiles. These vicious acts were heat-seeking missiles aimed at humanity's
desire to fulfill its G-d given mission on earth in a peaceful and civilized manner.
No, we will not allow our spirits to be broken! We will find the inner strength
to rise above this black day in the history of our world. As our hearts
go out to the tens of thousands of victims and their families, we draw upon the
wisdom and leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In times of tragedy and tribulation,
the Rebbe calls upon us to heed the words of King David, "Out of the mouths
of babes and sucklings You have established strength" (Psalms 8:3). We must
gather our children, our future, and cry with them words of prayer and Torah to
the Almighty. We must increase our charity to the poor and those less fortunate.
Today our enemies have reminded us -- in the most devastating manner -- that all
we have is each other and our shared desire to live in peace. We must stand together
in a united front to protect our world. As we desperately search for light,
let us embrace the Rebbe’s teaching: Light is unity. Let us unite through
acts of goodness and kindness toward each other. By so doing, we invoke
the G-d given power to overcome all obstacles. Our Sages teach us that now, during
the month of Elul, Almighty G-d is "in the fields" and especially open
to our prayers. As we gather together in our synagogues, we beseech G-d to bring
an end to this madness, mayhem and terror by sending Moshiach: A time when death
and war will cease to exist, the time of our redemption. In the Rebbe’s words
heard across the globe, "Moshiach is ready to come now. It is only up to
us to increase our deeds of goodness and kindness." May we merit that
the coming year bring world peace and redemption. Rabbi Boruch
Shlomo Cunin is the director of West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch | 