7 Things You Can Do for Israel

Israel is under terrorist attack! Children and mothers are in constant fear and frightened for their safety.

What can I do for Israel? How can I help my brothers and sisters in the Holy Land?

The answer is obvious that they need our support, and there is much we can do as well, no matter how distant we are geographically.

The Torah teaches us (and history has repeatedly demonstrated to us) that the physical protection of each one of us – and, indeed, our very collective destiny! – is intrinsically connected to our spiritual activism.

When we pray or dedicate a good deed to our brothers and sisters in Israel, we create a spiritual defense shield for them that will help them through difficult and dangerous times.

In that vein, we’ve gathered some of the directives that the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, shared with the Jewish people worldwide during similar events, positive action we can each take for Israel and its people. The Rebbe's message is very clear that Israel's Security comes first and we each must do all we can to help in this situation!

Please see bellow a list of seven directives and suggestions.

The Rebbe's message: One Act of Goodness and Kindness will change the world! Moshiach Now!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Menachem & Rebbetzin Rochel Matusof
Directors, Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta

1. Share the Power of Light

> What it is: While this is a once-a-week mitzvah, its power lasts for an entire seven days. Lighting Shabbat and holiday candles ushers light and peace into the home and the world.

> What to do: Encourage every Jewish woman and girl to light Shabbat candles every Friday before the onset of Shabbat and on the eve of Jewish holidays.

Candle lighting for today, October 16th 2015, is before 6:24pm (Calgary). Click here for candle lighting time in a different city.

> Links: Learn how to light Shabbat candles, find out what time the candles should be lit, read stories and discover the power of bringing more light into the world.

2. Take Up a "Call to Arms"

> What it is: Before the outbreak of the 1967 war, the Rebbe prompted a literal "call to arms" to encourage Jewish males don the holy heart-and-mind connectors known as tefillin, whose spiritual potency is foretold in the Talmud to help instill fear and deterrence in the enemy
> What to do: Encourage every Jewish man and boy over the age of 13 to put on tefillin today, and every weekday.
> Links: Don’t have tefillin? Click here to purchase. Don’t know how to put them on? Watch this tutorial. Want someone to help you? Contact our office at 403.238.4880. Watch the Rebbe explain the power of tefillin.

3. Check Your (Spiritual) Security System

> What it is: Called the guardian of the Jewish home and the guardian of the Jewish people throughout the ages, the mezuzah is a parchment scroll containing sacred portions of the Torah that is hung on the right side of the doorpost to a Jewish home. They are also affixed on most doorposts within the home.
> What to do: Do you have mezuzahs on and in your home? This is a good time have them checked to make sure they are still in tiptop shape. (It is best to do so annually, and at least twice every seven years.) If you don’t have mezuzahs, or are missing on some doors, now is the time to get up to snuff.
> Links: Learn all about mezuzahs and how to affix them, and how and why to check them. Contact us at 403.2384880 or email us to arrange your mezuzahs to be checked or to purchase a new one.

4. Pray

> What it is: The power of prayer-our ability to reach the gates of heaven and plead with the Almighty to make things better.

> What to do: Dedicate a daily prayer for our brethren in Israel. Psalms are especially appropriate for times like this. But feel free to go off-script and speak to G d directly in your own words, too. While praying, keep in mind those who were injured in the attacks, in addition to all of Israel. The prayer of children is considered to be particularly potent.

Click here for the daily prayer schedule at Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta.

> Links: Psalms. ( Chapter 20 has a special significance at times such as these.) A list of victims of recent terror attacks can be found here.

5. Be Financially Supportive

> What it is and what to do: Give charity! The protective strength of charity is considered to be particularly strong. Consider in part also an Israel-based charity. (There are many good organizations out there doing tremendous work, including those helping the victims and the armed forces on the front lines.)
> Links: You can learn more in our charity section.

6. Nurture Your Faith

> What it is: What kept us going for thousands of years. Amid all crises, the faith and knowledge that G‑d is with us and protects us.
> What you can do: Reach into yourself to find it. Learn about it. And speak to your family and friends about it. Gather them around your dining room table at home or the water cooler at work and speak about our faith in G‑d and His bond with every one of us. Engender confident trust that He will guard us, and especially in His holy land.
Reach out to friends and family in Israel, or even to strangers on Facebook. Tell them that you are one with them, about the mitzvahs you’re doing in their honor, and that you are sure that they will prevail.
If you wish to attend one of our classes that will help you nurture your faith, please click here.

7. Spread the Message

> What it is: If one deed is powerful, many deeds have an even greater impact.
> What to do: Forward this information to your friends. Post it on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. Print this list and hang it in your workplace.
> Links: This year is a special year for Jewish get-togethers; read more about it here.
~~~ News & Updates For news and updates on the attacks in Israel, click here.

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