IT IS inspiring to encounter real heroism . I had this privilege during an address given at a gathering of about fifty Rabbis from South Africa in Israel on a solidarity mission and to hold our annual rabbinical conference . Amongst the array of speakers , all of whom showcased the dazzling talent that today makes up Israeli society in all areas of human endeavour , we encountered the heroic and inspiring bravery of the terror-bereaved parents of the Lemkus , Henkin and Ariel families .
CHIEF RABBI GOLDSTEIN CHIEF RABBI DR WARREN GOLDSTEIN ’ S ROSH HASHANAH MESSAGE JEWISH PURPOSE TO LIFE
IT IS inspiring to encounter real heroism . I had this privilege during an address given at a gathering of about fifty Rabbis from South Africa in Israel on a solidarity mission and to hold our annual rabbinical conference . Amongst the array of speakers , all of whom showcased the dazzling talent that today makes up Israeli society in all areas of human endeavour , we encountered the heroic and inspiring bravery of the terror-bereaved parents of the Lemkus , Henkin and Ariel families .
We were humbled by their faith , determination and resilience in the face of unbearable grief . We were left groping in awe for answers to how people can be so strong in the presence of such pain .
We found some insight from the words of Rabbanit Chana Henkin , whose brilliant son and daughter-in-law , Rabbi Eitam and Na ’ ama , were brutally murdered by Palestinian terrorists in front of their four young children .
She shared with us how her philosophy and approach has been a source of support throughout this horrific period . She said that she sees G-d as the Supreme Being who assigns tasks to us , and is not there simply to fulfil our needs . She sees life as a mission assigned by G-d to
“ In short , it is her sense of purpose that has given her the strength to survive her ordeal ” each of us to fulfil . In short , it is her sense of purpose that has given her the strength to survive her ordeal .
Purpose is a defining concept within Judaism ’ s philosophy of life . G-d created this world with purpose . One of the often debated questions is why the Torah began with the chronicle of the creation of the world . The Torah is a book of laws and instructions and guidance for life , and not merely a history book .
So the commentators ask why the Torah opens with the verse , “ In the beginning G-d created heaven and earth ”? Surely it should have begun with the very first mitzvah given to the Jewish people ? There are many different answers to this question . I would like to suggest that one possible reason is to underline the basic foundation of all of Judaism , and that is this universe and the complex and intricate world in which we are privileged to live was intentionally created , carefully designed and planned by G-d for a lofty purpose . This is especially true of every human being ; each and every one of us is created by G-d to live a life of purpose .
This philosophy stands in stark contrast to the philosophy which emerges from the theory of random
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