8 | OCTOBER 19 • 2023 
J
N

prayer
Let’s Light Shabbat Candles 
I 

urge Jews around the world 
to come together to light 
Shabbat candles in support 
of Israel.
Together with my wife, 
Gina, we offer 
you our personal 
prayer to recite 
after you light 
your Shabbat 
candles this 
week. 

This is a 
spiritual war by 
those who seek 
to destroy Israel not because 
of its borders, but because of 
what it stands for — the world’s 
only Jewish state. Our response 
must be to reaffirm our eternal 
Jewish values — the spiritual 
light of Shabbat.

At this time of harrowing 
danger, let us harness the power 
of lighting Shabbat candles to 
pray for Israel. Let us pray for 
the families and children, and 
for the brave soldiers of the 
State of Israel. Together, let’s 

counter the darkness by bring-
ing more light into the world.

PRAYER AFTER SHABBAT 
CANDLE-LIGHTING
Our God and the God of 
our forefathers, Rock, and 

Redeemer of Israel, hear my 
supplication in the merit of 
Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and 
Leah, our mothers, and in 
the merit of lighting the holy 
Shabbat candles.
Protect and deliver the 
soldiers of the Israel Defense 
Forces and Security Forces, 
and all those engaged in 
saving lives, from all trouble 
and sorrow. Strengthen their 
hands and adorn them with 
the crown of Your salvation 
and victory.

I plead with You, Merciful 
One, in Your vast Majesty, 
liberate our captives, speedily 
deliver them from anguish to 
relief, and return them home to 
life and peace.
Save our brothers and sisters, 

Chief Rabbi 
Warren 
Goldstein

PURELY COMMENTARY

essay
Israel’s Immediate Needs 
T

he surprise attack began 
early Saturday morning, 
Oct. 7, and within hours 
the military called up 
over 300,000 reserv-
ists (unprecedented 
in Israel’s history) 
to supplement the 
175,000 regular sol-
diers. That’s about 
half a million Israelis 
(5.5% of the pop-
ulation) fighting to protect our 
nation. 
Because of the urgency, the 
logistics for our government and 
military is working hard to catch 
up on all the needs. For example, 
there were thousands of reserv-
ists waiting for hours at the train 
station (not usually operating on 
Shabbat) until the government 
was able to get the trains running. 

Many had departed their homes 
so fast they didn’t have food or 
water. 
When people heard about the 
situation on social media, they 
rushed to the station with sus-
tenance. Those same soldiers 
and the families in the southern 
towns (where everything is locked 
down) also lacked standard items 
like chargers, underwear, tooth-
brushes, etc. So, there have been 
drop off stations all over Israel for 
donations, and volunteers have 
been driving them to the bases 
and cities. Volunteers have come 
out in droves to donate blood and 
services to help pick up the slack. 
Doulas are offering free support to 
pregnant women whose husbands/
partners are fighting this war, so 
they have someone by their side 
during delivery. 

Lisa Lis

Yael Lis shared some 
photos of donated 
helmets that made their 
way to IDF units that 
needed them.

