"Hashem Is Calling Us": A Grieving Mother’s Heartfelt Plea

"Who isn't apprehensive about the coming weeks, predicted to be quite challenging and unsettling?" asks Anat Hanna Rivlin, a mother who lost two children in the Hamas terror attack on Simchat Torah 5784. "It's clear to us all that these will be tough days. Who knows what will happen to the hostages who return home or what will become of those not listed? And above all, there's the deep worry that this deal might not result in a 'soul for a soul,' releasing so many murderous terrorists with nothing to stop them from returning to terror and harming more civilians."

Rivlin notes that in light of future uncertainties, she felt a significant urge to launch a special initiative focusing on promoting positive speech, and she is now sharing it everywhere she can.

You and Hashem

"I chose to focus on this area because since the conflict began, we are all short-tempered and full of grievances and disagreements," Rivlin explains. "There's too much incitement against different sectors, and on a personal level, communication between people is weakening, largely due to the immense tension we're under.

"As a result, I personally decided, together with my sister, to focus on enhancing our positive speech. Each of us chooses an hour a day where we avoid any forbidden talk. The outcome has been astounding, far beyond expectations. I find myself approaching this hour each day with great vigilance, trying not to fail. But it goes beyond that – we've discovered the impact extends to other areas throughout the day. It raises awareness, and suddenly you're noticing many things in your speech and interactions with the world. Ultimately, I decided with my husband to share this initiative with the public, believing that Hashem is calling us and desires this closeness."

So how does it work? Who chooses the hour each woman commits to?

"The woman alone decides," clarifies Rivlin, "and that's exactly the point. The idea is for each woman to come from a pure place, connecting solely with Hashem. She alone chooses the hour she commits to, and it must be a fixed time. No one needs to know when that hour is; it's only between her and Hashem.

"The fewer people who know about it and the fewer pats on the back we get, the more genuine this commitment becomes, allowing us to concentrate on it. Of course, none of us knows what awaits us ahead, but we can only pray. My hope is to create a vessel for Hashem's blessing, which will be considered as merits for the captives and all of Israel.

"Hashem cares for us, He wants us to be close to Him, and if each of us makes their own efforts, surely we will see with Hashem's help good news soon."

Do you know how many women have joined the initiative so far?

"I do not know, as I mentioned there's no need to report to us, but the responses I've heard from everywhere are wonderful, and many women have shown interest. Therefore, I use this platform to invite every Jewish woman worldwide to join the initiative. Additionally, men can join too. It's an initiative suitable for the entire population, hoping for good news soon."

Chani Lipschitz met with Anat Hanna Rivlin, whose two sons were murdered in Nova, and heard from her about their final moments, the haunting prayer on the night before the horrific massacre, about life after the double loss, and the mission that is revealed even in this challenging trial: "What gives me strength – to strengthen the faith of the people of Israel." Watch