Col. Ramon did a lot of good up there, and I?m not talking about his scientific experiments. In his death, he accomplished something so remarkable that it?s difficult to fathom, and we will probably never fully understand its magnificent implications (at least not in this world).
In his death he created unity. For a brief moment, there were no Right/Left, religious/secular, Israeli/Diaspora rifts among the Jewish People. We were one heart and, hey, that?s far from a common occurrence.
Vast numbers of mankind stared up at the heavens and simultaneously dropped tears. There can be no greater prayer than that.
We were humbled as we conceded the limits of technology and acknowledged that there is something much greater than ourselves. And the incredible paradox is that it took satellites and extraordinary human technological endeavors to bring this simple truth home to living rooms across the world. I imagine that for the first time, many people, engrossed in a thoroughly modern world, recognized their Creator and realized that they were mere mortals.
Ilan Ramon and those who perished with him gave us clarity. Clear lines were drawn for us between good and evil - between those who mourned a profound tragedy, and those who celebrated and danced in the streets.
But perhaps there?s a more earthly message and one that President Bush should heed... America, Israel and India are three natural allies and democratic nations thrown together by destiny. Nations that have strived for and continue to engage in an authentic struggle for justice and freedom. Nations that have applied their brainpower and creativity towards the good of mankind. This should be a clear sign to President Bush as he prepares for America?s next war. Perhaps the United States should realize that there are better and more sincere friends than Saudi Arabia and even Europe when it comes to engaging hostile Arab and Islamic regimes.
As Jews, we should realize that tragedy is always a precursor to something good. If I were Saddam, I?d stop dancing.
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Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.
In his death he created unity. For a brief moment, there were no Right/Left, religious/secular, Israeli/Diaspora rifts among the Jewish People. We were one heart and, hey, that?s far from a common occurrence.
Vast numbers of mankind stared up at the heavens and simultaneously dropped tears. There can be no greater prayer than that.
We were humbled as we conceded the limits of technology and acknowledged that there is something much greater than ourselves. And the incredible paradox is that it took satellites and extraordinary human technological endeavors to bring this simple truth home to living rooms across the world. I imagine that for the first time, many people, engrossed in a thoroughly modern world, recognized their Creator and realized that they were mere mortals.
Ilan Ramon and those who perished with him gave us clarity. Clear lines were drawn for us between good and evil - between those who mourned a profound tragedy, and those who celebrated and danced in the streets.
But perhaps there?s a more earthly message and one that President Bush should heed... America, Israel and India are three natural allies and democratic nations thrown together by destiny. Nations that have strived for and continue to engage in an authentic struggle for justice and freedom. Nations that have applied their brainpower and creativity towards the good of mankind. This should be a clear sign to President Bush as he prepares for America?s next war. Perhaps the United States should realize that there are better and more sincere friends than Saudi Arabia and even Europe when it comes to engaging hostile Arab and Islamic regimes.
As Jews, we should realize that tragedy is always a precursor to something good. If I were Saddam, I?d stop dancing.
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Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.