A Historic Shabbat in Trying Times

Some of us - right before Shabbat started

What began as a simple community Shabbat dinner quickly became a night of unity and Jewish pride.

Thursday night, the news broke: Israel had carried out a bold and historic strike deep inside Iran - a joint operation by the IDF, Mossad, and security forces against the Iranian nuclear program.

As Shabbat approached, we felt the weight of the moment. Men laid tefillin, women lit candles, and we came together for a meaningful communal meal - standing spiritually with our brothers and sisters in Israel.

Colonel (Tat Aluf) Elad Efrati, former commander of Israel’s northern border with Syria, had planned to join us. Due to security concerns, he was advised not to attend.

But just before Shabbat, he came privately to lay tefillin and left this powerful message:

“We just witnessed history - a real operation, not a Hollywood fantasy.

While America makes movies like Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise, Israel gets it done - quietly, bravely, and for real. That’s true strength.”

Later, Said - a Christian member of our community who grew up in Lebanon - shared his chilling experience with those who later became Hezbollah:

“This war isn’t against peace-seekers. It’s about survival.

Israel is defending the future - not just for itself, but for the whole region.”

Why tefillin? Because our sages teach they instill awe in our enemies.

Why Shabbat candles? Because even a small light dispels great darkness.

It was a night of resilience, clarity, and Jewish pride.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Colonel (Aluf Mishne) Elad Efrati, former commander of Israel’s northern border with Syria and rabbi Meir

The Israeli attack in Iran last week