This past week I joined more than 100 other North American rabbis across all denominations for a three day conversation about Zionism. Planning for the conference began more than a year ago, long before the tragedy of October 7th.
Our work felt more urgent and deeply needed than ever before. We had the opportunity to hear from journalist Brett Stephens, sociologist Mijal Bitton, and Congressman Ritchie Torres. We also were joined by three inspiring college students, two of whom were invited to address Congress last week, who shared their experiences on college campuses.
One of the animating questions of the gathering was how we can respond more effectively as a community to the terrible uptick in antisemitism, anti-Israel rhetoric, and anti-Zionism.
A colleague, Rabbi Sam Klibanoff of Congregation Etz Chaim of Livingston, New Jersey, offered a beautiful teaching that shows us one way.
He noted an interesting connection between two Hebrew words, one (לַמְנַצֵּחַ – la’m’na’tzeiach) that appears frequently throughout the book of Psalms, the other, a word that is seen almost everywhere in Israel today and at the entrance of our campus as well as part of phrase that means “together we shall prevail (ביחד ננצח – b’yachad n’natzeiach).”
The first word, לַמְנַצֵּחַ, means “for the conductor.” The Psalms are musical in nature and it’s possible that this salutation is a reminder that the words are addressed to the conductor of the sacred choir who was responsible for bringing melodies to the people for inspiration.
The same root can mean “to prevail” or “to win.” So what’s the connection between conducting a choir or orchestra and prevailing in a challenging situation like the terrible war we find ourselves in right now?
Rabbi Klibanoff suggests that the role of a good conductor is to inspire the orchestra to play in perfect harmony. And this is precisely what we must do right now if we are to transcend this moment, if we are to “win,” we must act together, in harmony, working side-by-side, overcoming disagreements and divisions so that, truly, B’yachad N’natzeiach – TOGETHER we will prevail.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi
