Just last Thursday, on June 13, the date that echoes the 613 commandments of our tradition, I reached out to you in the wake of Israel’s preemptive operation in Iran. We were all feeling the weight of uncertainty and concern for our homeland and for the Jewish people everywhere.

What is emerging now is nothing short of remarkable. In just a few days, history has continued to unfold at lightning speed. In many ways, Israel is writing a new Megillah with Persia — a new Scroll of Esther for a new age. The day I was writing this message, a week following the attack, marked the day on the Jewish calendar that Queen Esther intervened on behalf of her people. It was the day King Ahasuerus issued a second decree, this time empowering the Jews to defend themselves.

According to some traditions, Cyrus, the Persian King who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Second Temple 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple, was actually the son of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. It was a moment of redemption through an unexpected ally. Now, Israel has an opportunity to reciprocate and help the people of Persia liberate from their tyrannical regime.

But just before submitting this message to The Shofar on Saturday night, I had to update it after seeing a modern ally coming to the aid of Israel. The U.S. struck the three nuclear sites in Iran, defending freedom in the world.

But not without cost. Israel and the U.S. attacks immediately resulted in reciprocal Iranian ballistic missiles flying over Israel’s skies. Those that were not intercepted, caused great damages to Israeli casualty and property. Last Saturday night, two missiles landed in my hometown of Rehoboth, one exploding two blocks from my parents’ home, the other inside the Weizmann Institute for Science, where much of Israel’s top scientific innovation is developed.

This week’s Parashat, “Shelach,” reminds us of another pivotal moment in Jewish history: The sin of the ten scouts, the leaders of their tribes, who saw only danger and defeat in the Promised Land. They could not imagine victory, and their fear led to 40 years of wandering in the desert.  Only Joshua and Caleb believed in the strength of the people and in God’s promise.

We are living in a time when that same courage is needed — a time when we must reject the despair of the scouts and embrace the spirit of hope and resolve. That is how we move forward. That is how we inherit the future.

Let us continue to pray for Israel’s safety, for the return of all the hostages, for peace with security, and for wise and righteous leadership. Let us draw strength from our ancestors — and from one another — as we navigate these difficult but sacred days together.

—Rabbi Gadi Capela