Thoughts and Prayers on the Second Anniversary
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| It is now two years since the Israel–Gaza war began — the very day I arrived in Israel, 7 October 2023. Below is the reflection I wrote a week later, soon after returning to the UK. Today, the conflict still smoulders. Yet there is a glimmer of hope that it may finally end, if the negotiations in Cairo between Israel and Hamas reach agreement on the 20-point peace plan proposed by President Trump — accepted by Israel and partially by Hamas. My prayer is that an accord will be reached, the remaining hostages released, and the long season of suffering brought to an end. Much has changed over these two years. None of us are untouched. The impact on Israelis, Palestinians, and Jewish people worldwide has been profound — many bear the wounds of deep trauma. Only days ago, on Yom Kippur, two worshippers were killed at a Manchester synagogue. I was in synagogue in London with my family when we heard the news; police quickly increased security for our own gathering.  Today also marks the beginning of Sukkot — the Feast of Tabernacles — a time when we remember God’s provision in the wilderness and celebrate His presence in fragile shelters. It is meant to be our most joyful season (z’man simchateinu), yet this year it is shadowed by memory and loss. Still, it calls us to gratitude for divine sustenance and to hope for future redemption. For us as Jewish people — and as Jewish disciples of Yeshua — this feast reminds us of the Almighty’s faithfulness through every trial. Across four millennia our people have endured tragedy and renewal; hope has never been extinguished. In Messiah Yeshua’s death and resurrection we discern the hand of God even in sorrow, and we look in faith toward ultimate restoration. Thank you for your steadfast love, prayers, and support for me, my family, and our people. May this season bring healing, reconciliation, and peace — especially for Israel and Gaza. Prayer for Peace and Healing O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, You are our shelter in the wilderness and our hope in the storm. Bring peace to Israel and Gaza, healing to the wounded, and comfort to all who mourn. May this Sukkot renew our faith in Your mercy and our trust in the coming redemption through Messiah Yeshua. Amen. Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, אַתָּה מַחֲסֵנוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר וְתִקְוָתֵנוּ בַּסְּעָרָה. הָבֵא שָׁלוֹם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַזָּה, רְפוּאָה לַפְּצוּעִים, וְנֶחָמָה לְכָל הָאֲבֵלִים. יְחַדֵּשׁ סֻכּוֹת הַזֶּה אֶת אֱמוּנָתֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמֶיךָ וְאֶת בִּטְחוֹנֵנוּ בִּגְאֻלָּה הַבָּאָה בְּמָשִׁיחַ יֵשׁוּעַ. אָמֵן. Transliteration: Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak ve-Ya‘akov, Atah machasenu ba-midbar ve-tikvateinu ba-se‘arah. Havé shalom le-Yisra’el ve-‘Azah, refu’ah la-p’tzu‘im, ve-nechamah le-kol ha-aveilim. Yechadesh Sukkot hazeh et emunateinu be-rachamecha ve-et bitchonenu bi-ge’ulah ha-ba’ah be-Mashiach Yeshua. Amen. Update from Richard Harvey 16th October 2023 As I write, the war in Israel is in its 10th day, with 199 Israeli hostages taken, 1,500 Israelis killed and Israeli troops about to enter Gaza. There is international concern about possible escalation of the war on the Lebanon border. Some 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing bombardment, evacuation and a humanitarian catastrophe. As I left to catch my flight for Israel 10 days ago I had a call from a friend in Israel. “Did you know there is a war on?” he asked. I did not, and thought it was just a minor incident. My flight to Tel Aviv was on schedule and we had clearance to fly. As we made our descent to Ben Gurion airport I snapped a picture from the window, happy to see the lights of Tel Aviv again. It was only when we landed in Israel that the pilot told us there were some security concerns. We disembarked and boarded the bus to take us to the terminal. The bus came to an abrupt halt and the driver gave rapid instructions for us to get out and lie face down on the tarmac. We heard the loud bangs of rockets, and a girl next to me was in tears. After a few minutes we got back on the bus, rushed through an empty airport and the quickest immigration process I had ever experienced.  When I arrived at Yad Hashmonah, a messianic moshav (collective village) near Jerusalem, I turned on the TV and saw my fellow-passengers lying on the ground, thanks to a camera crew from CNN, who were on our flight. We were featured with the captions “Citizens of Israel, we are at war” and “IDF sirens continue to warn in incoming rockets across Israel”. There would be several alarms and trips to the bomb shelter in the next few days, and planes flying overhead throughout the nights. I was due to be in Israel for two conferences and teaching at a Bible School, but the second conference was cancelled and the Bible School evacuated. I tried to re-book my flight back to the UK, but each flight I booked was then cancelled. I finally managed to book a flight via Abu Dhabi and arrived back in UK on Friday morning. My wife and family were greatly relieved. Just now I feel in a daze, but share the grief and mourning of my people, and for all the peoples of the region. Your prayers and support are much appreciated at this time, and the need for humanitarian aid is pressing. Many friends, family and co-workers are caught up in the conflict, serving in the army and in other ways. If you would like to donate for care packages for Israeli soldiers, aid for the displaced, and other urgent needs at this time, you may do so below. May the God of Israel and of all nations bring peace to this troubled region.  Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol yisrael, v’al kol yosh’vei tevel. May the one who makes peace in the high heavens, make peace upon us, for all of Israel, and for all who inhabit the earth (Reform version, Mourner’s Kaddish) In our Messiah Richard Harvey _______________________________________________________ mobile: +44(0)7505 685049 Academic: https://independent.academia.edu/RichardHarvey Support: www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20477325 Blog: https://jewinthepew.org/ |
On This Day In Messianic Jewish History 
