Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploration into one key issue shaping Israel and the Jewish World — right now.

Israel is at war. And, while we are fighting on our southern, and increasingly, our northern borders, one of the biggest battles is global — for the hearts and minds of those who could support Israel in this time of need.

Because the battle is international, it’s not only about the Palestinians versus the Israelis. It goes far beyond that.

“Hamas is just a forefront of Iran. It’s one large, organic monster. So we weren’t attacked by the local militia, we were attacked by the Persian Empire," according to Dr. Micah Goodman.

The author of influential works such as "Catch-67" has appeared on What Matters Now in the past, speaking on politics and on the judicial overhaul.

But on a morning in which we both received terrible news of fallen loved ones, we had a raw and very real conversation in which Goodman makes a unique plea for help.

In this week of terrible tragedy, we ask Dr. Micah Goodman, what matters now.

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on iTunes, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, PlayerFM or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Dr. Micah Goodman (Yonit Schiller)