Israeli Faith Deepens 9 Months After Hamas Attack
In the aftermath of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead and 250 taken hostage, many Israelis are turning to faith for comfort, reports Maayan Hoffman. This tragic event has deeply shaken Israeli society, eroding trust in the government, the Israel Defense Forces, and the economy. Statistics and personal accounts indicate a significant rise in religious engagement among Israelis seeking solace and strength.
Eitiel Goldwicht, educational director for the Jewish outreach organization Aish, notes a growing strength in Jewish identities, especially among those who previously sought peace with Palestinians in Gaza. Many nonobservant soldiers have requested tzitzit (ritual fringes) and tefillin (phylacteries) as spiritual protection. A day of prayer and unity organized by Aish at the Western Wall in Jerusalem attracted nearly 5 million Jews worldwide.
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Rabbi Tzvi Broker from Aish.com highlighted a 300% increase in their live web chat service, showing a surge in Jews seeking spiritual guidance. According to Dr. Menachem Lazar’s February 2024 survey, 33% of Israelis, particularly the youth, have strengthened their faith since the attack. Moreover, 63% reported praying more, 59% are having more conversations with God, and 45% have increased their recitation of Psalms.
The Israel Democracy Institute found similar trends, with 34% feeling closer to religion since the war. Even the Messianic Jewish group Jews for Jesus reported a 43% rise in New Testament requests. Aaron Abramson, the group’s executive director, compared this to the increased spiritual openness seen in Ukraine during its conflict with Russia.
For a deeper understanding of how the October 7 attack has transformed religious engagement in Israel, read the full article by Maayan Hoffman.
