Oral Law Assignment

I think the verse in Leviticus 19:34 really hits home for many Israelis and I. "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." When I read this, I was reminded of the strong Jewish community we are lucky to have and maintain. With our small number, I feel that it is important for all Jews to be included and play an active part in helping to keep and grow this community. Carrying out acts of kindness towards one another, and giving tzedakah are key ways of bringing each other up.                  
  
I took this picture in Jerusalem two summers ago. It was the night when it was announced that the bodies of the three Jewish boys who were kidnapped by Hamas had been found. I thought it was so beautiful that all of these strangers gathered together in the center of the square, lit candles, and mourned together. As the minutes passed, more and more people came, bringing candles, and singing. Although these boys were strangers, they were Jews just like us, and so our ancestors were once strangers together in Egypt. The Jewish people have lived and will continue to live on because of the love that we have for our faith and each other.

עם ישראל חי