Beyond politics and toward hope after Hamas attack on Israel

SALT LAKE CITY — Communities around the globe are feeling the impact of the Hamas attack on Israel. Beyond the politics of the attack, many people are left mourning the immense loss and tragedy. 

Rabbi Joe Charnes of California tells KSL NewsRadio’s Boyd Mattheson that he believes in people rather than political parties.

“I believe in humans and not in isms,” Charnes said. “And the reason I believe in humans is because, as humans, we have humanity in spite of the human history of inhumanity.”

He goes on to say that, in his eyes, we are all children of God.

Rather than looking to God for reasons why people commit acts of inhumanity, Charnes looks to God for comfort.

“I won’t reduce God to a why because I simply think God is above and beyond all questions,” he said. “But … I know that there’s still, in spite of this, there is deep hope potentially available to all of us.”

The question, according to Charnes, is not about the reason behind suffering. Rather, he believes the focus needs to be on how to overcome suffering.

“There needs to be justice, absolutely,” he said. “But there has to be a heart filled with hope that this is not our end.”

Charnes said his hope is that one day we will all walk together in peace.

Inside Sources with Boyd Matheson can be heard on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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