Israel President Rivlin hosted the 27th Bible Study Group of the 929 project,
Attached photo credit: Koby Gideon (GPO)
Israel President Reuven (Ruvu) Rivlin , Sunday, Sunday 6 October / 7 Tishrei, the 27th Bible Study Group of the 929 project, which offers ongoing reading of the Bible from the perspective of Israeli society. The subject off this evening’s meeting was ‘Renew Our Days as of Old – Belief in Personal and National Renewal’. Rabbi Benny Lau of 929, authors Eli Amir and Emunah Elon and representatives of the Ohr Lamishpachot organization will also participate in the event.
In his remarks, the president spoke about the passage ‘Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old’ (Eicha/Lamentations 5:21), saying, “This is a verse full of hope an belief in our ability to repent and to renew, both as individuals and as a people. But only on the face of it. The beauty of the verse is really in its movement back and forth." He continued, "What does it mean to renew our days as of old? How can you be so renewed when you go backwards? The answer, in my opinion, is it is only in this way that we can be renewed. Only by deepening our roots in the Earth, only with a steadfast grip can you build new buildings. Without the ‘of old’ we cannot renew, and this is true both as individuals and as a nation. Just as renewal is ‘as of old’ the secret of our repentance is in our ability to go back. To return. To be in touch with the fundamentals. To believe that innocence is possible.”
At the end of his remarks, the president said: "As we face this new year, the winds of change are blowing over us all. After two tough, difficult elections, it seems that new days are ahead, and even we do not yet know what they bring, we can already see and guess the change and the movement. What was, is probably not what is going to be. It is true that not everything is perfect and there a number of distortions and difficulties that require attention. But in moments of crisis and movement, we must remember that the foundations exist, that they are strong, and that on them alone we will rebuild. Shana Tova (Happy New Year) and Gmar Chatima Tova (A Good and Final Inscription in the Book of Life) to you all."
