October 7th | We Will Never Forget | Rabbi Bernath’s Sermon for the 1st Day of Rosh Hashana

In this year’s Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath addresses the profound impact of last October’s events, emphasizing the collective trauma and unity that emerged in the Jewish community. He reflects on how this tragedy forced the Jewish people to confront their shared identity and essence. Despite differences in ideology, last year’s adversity brought a glimpse into the unity that binds the Jewish people at their core. Rabbi Bernath urges the community to actively sustain this unity—not just instinctively, but consciously, each day. He shares stories and teachings illustrating the importance of maintaining unity, tapping into our core truths, and reconnecting with our infinite light. Through deliberate effort, we must continue to live by our collective truth and open the doors to unity, strength, and peace for the year ahead.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity from Tragedy: October 7th changed the Jewish world forever. The tragedy united Jews worldwide, transcending ideologies and backgrounds, and revealed a deeper connection rooted in our shared essence.
2. Conscious Effort for Lasting Unity: Rabbi Bernath reminds us that while unity came instinctively after October 7th, it is up to us to maintain it. If unity does not naturally arise, we must "open it ourselves" with our own hands, ensuring it endures as part of our daily lives.
3. Lessons from the Rebbe: By sharing the story of Eliyahu Amikam and Meir Vilner, Rabbi Bernath emphasizes that every Jew, regardless of outward beliefs, harbors an inner core that connects them to G-d and the Jewish people. This core truth is what binds us and calls us to unity.
4. Remembering October 7th: Rabbi Bernath stresses the importance of keeping the memory of October 7th fresh, using it as a reminder to continue living with a heightened sense of unity, purpose, and connection to one another and G-d.
5. Our Responsibility: Like the young man with the tulips, if unity does not manifest naturally, we must take action to bring it forth. It is within our power to foster this connection, and with G-d's help, we can transform pain into strength and division into unity.
6. A Year of Strength and Peace: In concluding, Rabbi Bernath prays for a year filled with security, peace, and revealed goodness, urging the Jewish people to stand united, channeling their core strength and unity toward collective prosperity and blessing.

Keywords:
Rosh Hashanah, unity, Jewish identity, October 7th, collective memory, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, shared essence, Am Yisrael Chai, infinite light, Jewish unity, conscious unity, G-d's blessing, year of peace, lasting connection, Jewish resilience.