Pain and suffering our people know well, but we have always found comfort and conviction to move forward. Now, too, after such a tragic week, we ask ourselves how we cope. How do we continue living Jewishly, with pride and joy in who we are?
The answer lies in this week's Torah portion Terumah where we learn about the construction of the first Temple, the Mishkan of the desert. Hashem commanded the Jewish people to build it in the face of the tragedy and the painful loss of so many after the golden calf. The Mishkan and, eventually, the Beit Hamikdash would become a refuge for our people in times of great persecution. Eventually, after both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed, the Shul or Synagogue would take their place.
This physical space would become a place where our people and community could unite and celebrate all we are — a home for Hashem where we could cry, lament, celebrate, and dance together. A place where the words of the Torah would fill the air, and the song of prayers would fill our hearts. No other place connects our people to each other quite the same way our Shuls do, and we all know there is tremendous comfort and power that we glean only when we come together.
Today, we must return to our Shuls, community centers, and Synagogues. Though we won't find any answers to the terrible atrocities we've witnessed, we will find strength and love and the light we need to continue illuminating our world so we can fulfill our mission of bringing peace and harmony to G-d's universe with the coming of Moshiach speedily, amen!