Last week, the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis), URJ (Union for Reform Judaism), and the ACC (American Conference of Cantors) published a statement about Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City and beyond (read it here). Netanyahu’s final campaign to end Hamas’s control over the region and to bring home the hostages, alive and dead, is a bold move. Some would say that it’s necessary. On one hand, Israel should excise Hamas’s last warriors, bring home the hostages, and leave Gaza for a future Palestinian civilian corps to lead. On the other hand, Netanyahu wouldn’t have time to succeed before he would draw the rage of the entire international community. Even if Netanyahu had time to do it right, the subject of Israel’s future as a moral nation would be up for debate interminably.

Today, more than 70% of Israelis have become galvanized against Netanyahu’s plan. Despite 10/7, Israelis believe that Israel can still succeed in defending itself in the future, supported by Israeli armed forces and generous Israel allies. But will Israel’s allies still be there if Israel seeks only justice against Hamas without also seeking peace now?

The Reform Movement’s statement couldn’t possibly speak for everybody, but it does represent many of those who believe that small victories are durable, and longer ones, while noble, might become nothing more than pyrrhic victories. The world’s judgment matters. Despite their cruel verdicts, Israel and Jews have survived. The pain that the world caused Israel and Jews is great, but it doesn’t have to define us or turn us against each other, our families, and our allies.

In her poem, After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes, Emily Dickenson shares how one can become hardened by great pain, but “if outlived,” one can let go and move on.

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions ‘was it He, that bore,’
And ‘Yesterday, or Centuries before’?

The Feet, mechanical, go round –
A Wooden way
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

We who are commanded to “Choose life so that you and your children may live,” (Deuteronomy 30) need to ask ourselves if we can find peace now without immediate justice in order to outlive the great pain that has numbed us from feeling life and hope. It isn’t always easy to reach the answer alone. We have to reach it together as a people. Terrorists choose death. Jews choose life. We start with peace and pursue justice every day and perhaps forever, as Torah also teaches, “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16).

May Israel know peace in the land, peace among its people, and peace with those who will be her neighbors. May Israel find justice in the best life it enjoys in its homes and fields, in its schools and universities, and in its hope for all humanity.

L’Shalom,