By Rabbi Yaakov Raskin
Chief Rabbi, Chabad of Jamaica
THE WORLD feels heavy these days. From the headlines we read, the conversations we overhear, and what we see in the streets – you don’t have to search far to feel it. A few days ago, I was out shopping for my family here in Jamaica when a man suddenly shouted at me, “Stop the killing in Gaza!” The words stopped me in my tracks. I felt a wave of anger and sadness, as this was the first time in my 10 years of being a rabbi on the island that I had experienced anti-Semitism.
The truth is that Israel and its place in the world are under constant threat. For decades, Israel has extended an olive branch for peace to its neighbours, only to receive endless terror attacks in return. Yet, somehow, people forget what this war is really about. They forget that Israel is defending its right to exist and protect its people from those who openly call for its destruction. No country in the world would allow its citizens to be continually attacked by brutal terrorists.
What makes the situation even more heartbreaking is the way Hamas and Hezbollah hide among civilians, using them as human shields, turning homes, schools, and hospitals into targets. While Israel takes every possible measure to avoid harming innocent civilians, it is the terrorists themselves who are the primary source of the destruction befalling their own communities. Yet, somehow, the world turns its anger towards Israel.
We have a choice; we can allow the darkness to suffocate us, or we can bring light into the world. We are not helpless, despite our great distance from the events. In Jewish tradition, there is no more powerful way to bring light, both literally and spiritually, than through the simple act of lighting a candle.
Every Friday night as the sun sets, my wife and daughters gather to partake in a thousand-year tradition of lighting Shabbat candles. In this quiet moment, filled with meaning and purpose, the soft glow of the flames warms our home, pushing back the shadows. All anger, fear, and hatred of the outside world feels more distant in these tender moments. We are reminded that even when the world feels dark, there is always light to be kindled.