On the Eve of our Redemption, Free at Last?

As Shabbat draws near, our hearts are full of gratefulness and cautious relief with the news of a pending ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid to ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Observing Shabbat is always an act of imagination and faith. We move out of the six days of creation—weekdays, full of demands and messiness – and enter into Shabbat commanded to remember the potential embedded in the universe’s creation and the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Shabbat’s restfulness is intended not only to renew us in our week-to-week rhythms but also to recharge us as we re-enter “ordinary” time so that we may work to realize both creative potential and liberation in our world. This Shabbat, all of this, we pray, will be more than an exercise in our religious-poetic imaginations. This Shabbat, on the eve of Martin Luther King Day, we can celebrate the substantial progress towards an agreement that will, please God, result in the concrete redemption of captives and the end of a long and brutal war that has lasted over 15 months. At the same time, we must remember the horrific, deadly attack on October 7, those hostages still in captivity and others who were never able to come home, and thousands of Israeli and Palestinian lives that have been lost or shattered by this war. May diplomats and political leaders follow Rev. King’s example and recommit to working toward abiding amity and equity. May our own rest and gratitude fuel us to help create ever greater peace and ever greater redemption – alenu, ve’al kol Yisrael, ve’al kol yoshvey tevel – for us, for all Israel and for all who dwell on earth.

Amen and Shabbat Shalom…

Cantor Harriet Dunkerley