Jerusalem, Israel - Aug. 14, 2024 - United Airlines has a slogan: "Good Leads the Way."
I don't really think so highly of United these days since they seem to always be one of the first airlines to cancel flights to Israel. However, despite all the challenges over the last 10-11 months, there has been so much good, and we must let good lead the way.
The picture below is an example of the good that has emerged from the darkness.
The soldier pictured is not religious, but he has committed to wearing tefillin every day. These tefillin were generously given to me, and I was asked to find them a new home. Thanks to my good friend and former Rabbi, Dovid Gottlieb, (Baltimore's Shomrei Emunah) this soldier now has a pair of tefillin.
Rabbi Gottlieb works for Tzalash, an organization that assists with the spiritual needs of soldiers. The soldier was provided with a brand-new, heavy-duty container to hold and protect the tefillin. These tefillin are inscribed with the name of a soldier who has fallen in battle, HY"D, and can no longer wear them. This particular pair is in memory of our beloved alumnus, Maoz Morell HY"D.
When Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb sent me this picture earlier today, I was truly lost for words. We can never completely fill the void left by the loss of Maoz, but with the help of some incredible individuals, we have managed to fill that hole just a little bit today.
Good really does lead the way.
When Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb (right) sent me this picture (left) earlier today, I was truly lost for words. We can never completely fill the void left by the loss of Maoz, but with the help of some incredible individuals, we have managed to fill that hole just a little bit today.