Shabbat Sermon: Rabbi Paul Yedwab on Empathy (May 31, 2024)

During Kabbalat Shabbat services at Temple Israel (West Bloomfield, Mich.), Rabbi Paul Yedwab reacted to a story of a student that shared their feelings to their Rabbi.
Rabbi Yedwab composed a response indicating that “I too am disappointed” and shared that we all have deep empathy for those who are suffering on both sides; that it is important that we not be one-sided.
By the same measure, Rabbi Yedwad put himself in place of the Israelis and wonders how America would respond to an October 7 attack, how other countries would respond. Countries would make mistakes and innocent people would suffer; but they would similarly respond as Israel has.
In concluding his sermon, Rabbi Yedwab shared that we can do what we are all doing - we can contribute financially, advocate for Israel, encourage others to hold the sympathies for both those in Gaza and the Israeli victims and we can pray. Meditation and prayer alone cannot overcome violence and terror, but that prayer can provide us empathy for other people and our people as well.
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