Letter from the Founder and CEO –  Embracing Hashem’s Love: Reflections on Mercy, Judgment, and Faith

Another year has passed, and what a year it has been. This has been a year in which Klal Yisroel has faced Middas Hadin—divine judgment—on a scale we haven’t experienced since the Holocaust. We have all been touched by the tragedies that have unfolded and continue to unfold. The effects of these events will be felt for years to come.

Yet, alongside the tragedies, we have also witnessed tremendous mercy from Hashem. Miracles have unfolded before our eyes—from the bravery of our soldiers in Gaza and the North (May Hashem protect them and bring them all home quickly, safe and sound!) to the thwarted bombings of shuls in Tel Aviv, the failed terror attacks, and the healing that has already begun for the thousands affected by this war. 

At EPIC Family, we have stood alongside those who have faced sorrow and witnessed the incredible resilience of families determined to rebuild their lives. In this newsletter, we share just a couple of the many cases we’ve worked with that highlight this resilience.

This contrast is sometimes dizzying. Does Hashem love us or hate us? The answer is clear: Hashem loves us. We believe with complete faith that everything that happens is for our ultimate good. While we cannot understand or explain why these events occur, we know that our perspective is limited as human beings. We don’t see the full picture but believe that everything is for the best.

On Rosh Hashana, we recommit ourselves to Hashem’s Kingship. Each and every day, we declare our acceptance of Hashem’s Kingdom when we recite Shema Yisroel Hashem Elokenu Hashem Echad: “Hashem” signifies mercy, and “Elokim” signifies judgment. Then we say “Hashem Echad”—Hashem is One. Both the attributes of mercy and judgment come from the same source. The Rashba explains that the reason we repeat the name of Hashem again teaches us that even what we perceive as Din, strict judgment, stems from Hashem’s love and mercy. This profound truth is the foundation of our faith, and we proclaim it twice a day.

As we approach this new year, we wish each other a Shana Tova U’Metuka—a good and sweet year. Why do we add the word “sweet”? Because while we know that everything Hashem does is for our good, we don’t always feel it. So, we Daven not only for a good year but a sweet one—a year where we feel and appreciate the goodness that Hashem bestows upon us.

I wish you, your family, and all of Klal Yisroel a very sweet and good year, a year in which all the hostages will be returned, the soldiers will come home safe and sound, and there will be Shalom amongst Klal Yisroel, a year of Nechama and healing to all the new widows and orphans and Klal Yisroel will live in peace in Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach!