‘To him i commit my spirit’: Attachment to god, the land and the people as a means of dealing with crises in gaza strip

This chapter offers a religious model of contemporary thought involving an attachment between the Jewish people, God and the ‘Promised Land’ (of Israel). This religious perception was examined during various times of crisis in the Gaza Strip. Faithful messages used in rabbis’ sermons to strengthen residents’ community spirit were analysed. The findings reveal cognitive messages explaining rabbis’ position regarding the overall narrative explanation of the crisis; emotional messages that provide emotional solutions and encourage the public; operative messages and guidance which direct settlers on how they should conduct themselves in different situations. The conclusions indicate that although the ‘attachment to God and place’ lies at the heart of man’s faith, this attachment may either strengthen or weaken as a result of external threats, and of dealing with various crises. The findings are based on selected samples from about 200 sermons.