This year, as Passover approaches, the atmosphere here in Eretz Yisrael is decidedly different from previous pre-holiday times I remember.



Although the streets are still bustling with shoppers rushing to and fro, eagerly purchasing "kosher for Pesach" products, as well as new clothes to properly honor the Jewish Festival of Freedom, a sense of apprehension hovers in the air. It seems to curb the traditional unrestrained joy that has always marked this special time.



Indeed, the well-worn question, "mah yiyhe?" (what will be) has resurfaced. It permeates the conversation of both religious and secular Israelis searching for an answer that will provide a 'quick fix', as it were, to the grievous problems faced by the Jewish state. However, there are no 'quick fixes' in sight. Tragically, the threat to Israel's survival has now taken on a new identity, as a Jewish government led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon begins to implement his "Disengagement Plan" - bringing to reality that which was once thought impossible: the expulsion of Jews from their homes in Eretz Yisrael.



But wait, am I perhaps being too hard in judging the Great Warrior, as he returns from a 'triumphant' (sic) meeting with US President George Bush? For after all, didn't the Great White Father, in the White House, praise Sharon, even while making it very clear that Israel must stop building "settlements" and not construct new homes in existing areas such as Maaleh Adumim?



After all, didn't the prime minister of the sovereign State of Israel garner additional praise from President Bush after promising to destroy all so-called "illegal outposts" (read: "settlements" - and does that include Tel Aviv?) and to dutifully fulfill "Israel's obligations under the Road Map" leading to a Palestinian State?



And after all, didn't Prime Minister Sharon, in a prime time American television interview, publicize the crucial issues that concern him - an impending civil war in Israel and his own safety, which he feels is threatened by fellow Jews?



Never mind the fact that, in addition to more than l,700 Israelis murdered and over 6,000 wounded since the Oslo Accords were signed, Israel's recently brokered 'cease fire' with our new peace partner, Abu Mazen, has resulted in an almost daily bombardment of rockets on Gush Katif. That same Gush Katif that, in Sharon's view, must be Judenrein in order for the 'Palestinians' (and the world) to be placated. One can only shudder at the thought of what will transpire, Heaven forbid, if an enemy 'Palestinian State' on Israel's border comes into existence.



Each Passover, at the Seder table, Jews recite the prophetic words of the Haggadah: "In every generation, they [enemies of the Jews] rise up against us, but the Holy One, blessed is He, saves us from their hands."



This year, in view of the ominous harbinger of potential danger to the Jewish people brought about by the Sharon government - weakening the State of Israel through his policy of enslavement to the dictates of foreign nations, rather than an obedience to the Torah's commandment for Jews to settle every part of our reborn homeland - let us pray that G-d will save us also from the hands of our own leaders; and that He bring His promised redemption to the Jewish people speedily, in our days.