A Message from Rabbi Bellows

November 1, 2026/21 Cheshvan 5787

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, we encounter a moment of profound transition. Our first Matriarch Sarah dies, and Abraham mourns her death and sets out to find a burial place for her. Abraham purchases a burial place for Sarah in the land of Canaan, securing a permanent connection to the land. He then turns his attention to the next generation, seeking a wife for Isaac so that the Jewish people will continue.

This portion is especially meaningful at this moment in Israel’s history. Israel is once again facing a period of uncertainty. Following the recent national elections, the country faces questions about its political leadership and direction. 

Chayei Sarah reminds us that loving a place and a people also means caring deeply about their future. Abraham does not simply mourn what has been lost; he takes responsibility for what comes next. He understands that the future will not take care of itself.

As Jews who care about Israel, we cannot be indifferent to the choices being made there. We can hold our love for Israel alongside our concern for its democracy, its moral direction, the safety of its people, and the dignity and lives of Palestinians. These commitments are not mutually exclusive.

A central lesson of Chayei Sarah is that each generation inherits both a history and a responsibility. We cannot change everything that has happened, but we can help shape what happens next. Our connection to Israel calls us not only to remember its past and care about its present, but to remain engaged in helping build a future worthy of our deepest Jewish values.

With Blessings,

Rabbi Bellows