Rabbi Josh Lesser

A few months ago, as the war with Iran was entering its third week, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, stood in the Pentagon, spoke about overwhelming military force, and asked Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.”

In a shtetl outside Vitebsk, Belarus, there was a young, learned man. In the wake of increasing violence and with parental encouragement, he saved money to journey to the US. Uneasy, he set out for a port in Latvia. He arrived a day before the ship was leaving. Eager, yet anxious, he found a place to make his bed on the docks. When he awoke, he realized to his horror that his pack, his money, and his possessions had been stolen. Dejected, he cried out in prayer. As he wandered aimlessly, he felt alone and in despair. But then he saw a sign. He thought he must be dreaming and like the ladder that in Jacob’s dream; it was a way up and a way […]