RABBI'S WEEKLY MESSAGE - Universal Oneness United Faith Canada

October 17, 2025

Peace in our time

Greetings friends

This week, we completed the seven days of Sukkot, a holiday that ends with another holiday—Simchat Torah, the Celebration of the Torah. It guides us, teaches us, directs us.

Sukkot is not just one of the three gathering festivals that is called for in the Bible; it was the Festival of Thanksgiving that gave rise to the prayers at every meal, giving thanks to the lord for the bounty from the earth which feeds u,s and these prayers then found their way into all of the western religions.

But it served as something else. The holiday of Sukkot was the model for the US festival of Thanksgiving. That is not talked about much. We are told Thanksgiving commemorates the 1621 gathering of the indigenous people and the Puritans, but it went deeper.

The Puritans were seeking religious freedom, like the Israelites from Egypt, and so the models chosen were biblical. In fact, at one point, it was debated whether the language of the new land should be English or Hebrew, but that is another story for another time.

This holiday of thanks reminded us we have so much to be thankful for, and now more than ever as the last living hostages were released, peace is on the horizon, and wouldn’t it be nice if the terrorist monsters lived up to their words and released the rest of the bodies for proper burial. They haven’t; they might not. It simply speaks further to who they really are.

They are still filled with hate, and it is a generation away from changing. Change begins with the next generation, the reason the freed Israelites perished in the desert, that generation was slaves and had no idea of freedom. It is the youth who are the future of peace. Teach them now, and the hate will stop.

But there is something different that runs through the genetic spirit of Jews. There is a pride that courses through the lifeblood of the tribe; They endure, they ensure, and they believe that Israel will stand, that it is a homeland forever.

The Middle East is on the edge of a peace not seen in thousands of years. Let us hope and pray it grows, and let us give thanks for the dawning of a new age.

We have ended a cycle of reading the Torah – we read the blessings Moses gives the Tribe to end the Book, and the first part of Genesis to show the circle continues. And in ending, begin another—and we learned important things – keep them in mind:

Never judge by appearances.

Take the high road.

Do not worry what others may think.

Think outside the box.

Feel your feelings.

Love and forgive your family.

These are life-altering changes, so be prepared to find that this week you begin to change the direction of your lives. Think of the intention you bring to your life and the words you use, the words you were influenced by, and the words you use to influence. Be generous in your words and spirit to others. You can build them up instead of tearing them down.

This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2025 cycle and special ceremony sections.

I want to thank you all again for joining me, and if you are one of the people this was sent to by a friend and want to receive it yourself, let me know. I will add you to my mailing list.

Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, your electronic devices, and into your hearts as you are all with me in mine.

Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself. Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, and do not give in to fear and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email. I love hearing from you.

Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you. And know that I truly appreciate you sharing your sacred time with me.

Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others. In doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace, love, and miracles. And make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.

Remember, your world is what you make it. Just wish upon a star and continue to be the miracle in someone’s life.

Blessings

www.rabbidavidgellman.com

Respecting our past; Putting faith in your future.

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