Faith and forgiveness
"Forgiveness is a powerful act in Judaism but is often extremely challenging to do."
EARLIER this month, president of the Rabbinical Association of Australasia Rabbi Yaakov Glasman spoke at an i4give Week forum.
Rabbi Glasman of St Kilda Shule was one of two Jewish representatives who addressed the Zoom gathering, along with Rabbi Zalman Kastel from Sydney.
i4give Week is a nationwide initiative that was started by parents Daniel and Leila Abdallah in memory of their four children who were tragically killed on February 1, 2020, as a result of a drink-driving tragedy.
The Abdallahs publicly forgave the drunk driver, and started encouraging others find someone to forgive or to ask for forgiveness, in order to help those who have suffered in a similar way.
i4give Week 2022 has specifically focused on engaging faith communities across Australia in a shared embrace of the universal good of forgiveness.
Rabbi Glasman told The AJN, “Forgiveness is a powerful act in Judaism but is often extremely challenging to do. Danny and Leila Abdallah have found the capacity to forgive in the most tragic and heartbreaking of circumstances, mirroring the forgiveness of Joseph in the biblical story of his brothers’ shocking betrayal against him when he was most vulnerable.
“If we can each find it within our hearts to forgive others for the hurt they may have caused us, and equally to accept forgiveness from others when it is extended to us, then together we can make this world a brighter and happier place to be.”
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