Is HaShem Speaking to Us? Are we
listening?
What is
wrong with we Jews? Why can we not get along? Why must we demonize our brothers
and sisters when we have legitimate disagreements? Polarization has crippled us
before. Have we learned nothing?
Our enemies
see our weakness when we are divided. Look today at the Jewish world.
Antisemitism is on the rise and should be our clarion call to stand united
against this evil. Antisemitism has grown over the last decade in the West, in
both Europe and North America. Time and again, we do not cry out. The hate is
not happening in my neighborhood. The Jews who are targeted do not look like
me. Hatred is spewed from a minority group that is oppressed. Any of these
excuses and there are many others, need to stop. We must stand together and denounce
this hatred wherever this evil raises its ugly head.
The
divisions in Israel are serious. Like in America, the proponents and the
opponents vilify each other. The government proposes rules that change the way
judges are appointed. The opposition brings huge protests in the streets. The
government is correct in that it is the elected representatives of the people.
The protests are enormous and demand to be heard. Both are correct. While there
seems to be an attempt to reconcile both, each continues to vilify the other.
Can they not break bread together and find a compromise. Compromise means neither
will get everything they want but the strength of the Jewish people will be
demonstrated.
Israel’s
enemies, lead today by Iran, are working to surround the Jewish state. The tens
or hundreds of thousands of missiles and the thousands of terrorist soldiers
may inflict horrible damage on Israel. Certainly, all Israelis and most Jews will
support the Israel Defense Forces in a war. Can the war be stopped before it starts,
or must we wait for many injuries and deaths to bring us together?
Is HaShem
speaking to us? I believe absolutely. G-d is telling us to get our act together
or the damage to our people will be great. Our weaknesses only inspire our
enemies. We must unite and find common sense solutions to our divisions. Our
brothers and sisters need not give up on their idealism. They must be willing
to make concessions to bring peace. They must understand that the opposition
believes just as strongly they are right as well. While all sides may be
certain in their beliefs, if we do not find unity and peace, all Jewish people
will suffer. We must understand that peace among our people is the highest
virtue.
May all Jews
everywhere listen to the message our G-d is speaking to us. May the message
wake us up from our dream that our group has the only path.
Baruch
HaShem.
