It’s what you do that counts.
At the beginning of Parshat Vayeira, Hashem appears to Avraham immediately after he had had his brit milah and Avraham subsequently saw some visitors on the horizon and the Gemara Masechet Sotah teaches us, ‘Mikan shemidat Hashem levaker cholim.’ From here we see that it is the way of the Almighty to visit the sick.
Hashem is setting us an example and similarly, towards the end of the Torah when Moshe sadly died, the Torah says ‘Vayikbor otoh bagai’, ‘he buried him in the valley’.
Who buried Moshe?
And there can be only one explanation, because nobody knows the burial place of Moshe to this day. So, it had to be Hashem, who served in the capacity of the Chevra Kadisha. Once again, Hashem was leading through example, teaching us the lesson. That what matters most of all is not what you say, but rather what you do.
It is in this spirit that during the current tragic war in Israel, I have been so inspired by the actions, by the practical elements of what so many people are doing.
Firstly, and foremostly, Chayalei Tzva Haganah LeYisrael, who are fighting for the future of the state.
Together with their partners right around the world, people who are giving Tzedakah, people are engaging in acts of Chesed, of loving kindness and people who are praying, reciting Tehillim.
I’ve been so moved to hear about so many wonderful initiatives.
Yes, this is a time for action.
In Anim Zemirot, we sing ‘Dimu otcha v’lo k’fi yeshcha vayeshavucha l’fi ma’asecha.’ ‘God’s greatness is not in what he thinks, but rather ‘l’fe ma’asecha’, in what he does’.
And that is the greatness of the Jewish people right now.
We are doing so much, and I want to thank all of you for all your efforts at a practical level, to help Am Yisrael, and may Hashem bless us all, with full peace as speedily as possible.
Shabbat Shalom.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis