I and my wife Freida recently returned from an exhilarating trip to the Promised Land. We were in Israel to attend a Bar Mitzvah of one of our congregants.
In Israel, we readily imbibed of the holy spirit of Jerusalem and the exceptional energy of the Western Wall. We were both inspired and captivated by the spiritually vibrant faith and optimism so characteristic of the Jewish people residing in the holy city of Jerusalem.
Indeed, Jerusalem is by all means a shimmering city of gold. It is the city established by King David whose center is the Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount, surrounded by sloping mountains. What a sight it is to behold Jerusalem from the vantage point of Mount Scopus or from the Mount of Olives.
My Unscientific Israeli Taxi Driver Poll
Throughout the week, I had occasion to speak with five taxi drivers on the situation in Israel, and in particular, about the controversial Gaza disengagement. Three of the five taxi drivers were totally against it. They spoke with apprehension and bitterness about how they had elected Ariel Sharon to strengthen Israel and the settlements. The taxi drivers were chagrined and at a loss of words to justify transferring thousands of Jews from their homes.
One driver claimed that the secularists in Israel support abandoning Gush Katif because the religious element in Gaza is dominant. Had the Jews of Gush Katif been primarily secular, then the "Tel Aviv crowd" would have opposed the abandonment of Gaza, Judea and Samaria.
Another taxi driver said that the Israeli leadership has not learned from the Holocaust. Only a strong, defendable Israel, not dependent on a foreign power, can survive.
One of the two taxi drivers not opposed to the disengagement, Alex, gave the following rationale:
"Look" he said, "I came from the Ukraine at 14 years of age. I did my service in the army as a paratrooper. I'm now 28 years old and married to an artist who is studying art at Hebrew University. I'm tired of being sent for reserve duty every year for a month or so to Gaza or Jenin, etc. I wish we could hold on to Gaza, but I am simply sick and tired of it all."
The Israeli Economy
Alex brought up another very incisive point. Namely, the economy in Israel.
"What's with Netanyahu? Is he crazy? He keeps talking about how the Israeli economy will soon be like the American one. Who is he kidding? America is a wealthy country with tremendous natural resources. Israel has few natural resources. Many people are impoverished and children go to sleep hungry. At least if he modeled our economy after France or Italy it would make some sense."
What Happened to Our Sharon?
The other taxi driver who was not opposed to disengagement was Moshe Borucheli, who is an 11th generation Jerusalemite. His family will be celebrating the five-hundredth anniversary since his antecedents settled in the old city of Jerusalem. Moshe, an officer of high rank, served in the same unit with Ariel Sharon in the Yom Kippur war. He related how he and his friends met with Sharon recently and said to him, "You are not the Ariel Sharon that we thought we knew so well." Sharon replied that "from where I stand; I see the situation differently than from where you stand."
It seems, from my unofficial poll of five taxi drivers, that the disengagement plan is a very dangerous gamble for the State of Israel. Primarily, as it will compromise further the safety and security of Israel's citizens. From the perspective of Jewish law, it is a non starter from the word go.
The Protest Against the Abandonment of Gaza in Jerusalem
Thursday night, Shushan Purim Katan, approximately 4,500 to 5,000 people gathered in Binyanei HaUma. The main speaker was Rabbi Wolpo of Kiryat Gat, who is a great Torah scholar and a dedicated Chassid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Rabbi Wolpo knows one thing: the Rebbe said on numerous occasions that pikuach nefesh - saving and protecting life - is something you must teach and preach even when it may not be popular with those who control "the monetary purse strings".
The protest was carried by all the Israeli media, but the TV commentators don't hide their disdain for anyone who has an opinion not like their own. It was upsetting to see decent people trying to discuss the issue, and to witness the derision and lack of respect these journalists have for them. For those in the USA, who at times get upset with Dan Rather or other news anchors who take on a "holier than though" attitude, you have seen nothing compared to what takes place on Israel's news channels.
Morning Service at President Katzav's Synagogue
My good friends, Rabbis Swurdlov and Zeiler, arranged for me to attend the morning minyan at the Beit Hanassi (the President's official residence). I spoke a few words with President Katzav following the minyan and gave him some printed material concerning the disengagement, and other matters. The president is a gracious and wonderful person; Israel is truly fortunate to have such a mensch represent her.
Unity, Prayer and Tzedakah Will Ward Off the Evil Decree
Throughout the week, I had occasion to be touring Jerusalem and to see the excavations under the Western Wall. Praying with the vatikin "sunrise" minyan at the Kotel, together with Jews from every community, Ashkenazi and Sefaradi, is a rare experience, indeed. I believe now, more than ever, we must increase our prayers, Torah study, charity and unity with all Jews, so that modern-day, Haman-like plans are thwarted. Now is the time to do as Mordechai HaYehudi did. We dare not remain indifferent.
In Israel, we readily imbibed of the holy spirit of Jerusalem and the exceptional energy of the Western Wall. We were both inspired and captivated by the spiritually vibrant faith and optimism so characteristic of the Jewish people residing in the holy city of Jerusalem.
Indeed, Jerusalem is by all means a shimmering city of gold. It is the city established by King David whose center is the Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount, surrounded by sloping mountains. What a sight it is to behold Jerusalem from the vantage point of Mount Scopus or from the Mount of Olives.
My Unscientific Israeli Taxi Driver Poll
Throughout the week, I had occasion to speak with five taxi drivers on the situation in Israel, and in particular, about the controversial Gaza disengagement. Three of the five taxi drivers were totally against it. They spoke with apprehension and bitterness about how they had elected Ariel Sharon to strengthen Israel and the settlements. The taxi drivers were chagrined and at a loss of words to justify transferring thousands of Jews from their homes.
One driver claimed that the secularists in Israel support abandoning Gush Katif because the religious element in Gaza is dominant. Had the Jews of Gush Katif been primarily secular, then the "Tel Aviv crowd" would have opposed the abandonment of Gaza, Judea and Samaria.
Another taxi driver said that the Israeli leadership has not learned from the Holocaust. Only a strong, defendable Israel, not dependent on a foreign power, can survive.
One of the two taxi drivers not opposed to the disengagement, Alex, gave the following rationale:
"Look" he said, "I came from the Ukraine at 14 years of age. I did my service in the army as a paratrooper. I'm now 28 years old and married to an artist who is studying art at Hebrew University. I'm tired of being sent for reserve duty every year for a month or so to Gaza or Jenin, etc. I wish we could hold on to Gaza, but I am simply sick and tired of it all."
The Israeli Economy
Alex brought up another very incisive point. Namely, the economy in Israel.
"What's with Netanyahu? Is he crazy? He keeps talking about how the Israeli economy will soon be like the American one. Who is he kidding? America is a wealthy country with tremendous natural resources. Israel has few natural resources. Many people are impoverished and children go to sleep hungry. At least if he modeled our economy after France or Italy it would make some sense."
What Happened to Our Sharon?
The other taxi driver who was not opposed to disengagement was Moshe Borucheli, who is an 11th generation Jerusalemite. His family will be celebrating the five-hundredth anniversary since his antecedents settled in the old city of Jerusalem. Moshe, an officer of high rank, served in the same unit with Ariel Sharon in the Yom Kippur war. He related how he and his friends met with Sharon recently and said to him, "You are not the Ariel Sharon that we thought we knew so well." Sharon replied that "from where I stand; I see the situation differently than from where you stand."
It seems, from my unofficial poll of five taxi drivers, that the disengagement plan is a very dangerous gamble for the State of Israel. Primarily, as it will compromise further the safety and security of Israel's citizens. From the perspective of Jewish law, it is a non starter from the word go.
The Protest Against the Abandonment of Gaza in Jerusalem
Thursday night, Shushan Purim Katan, approximately 4,500 to 5,000 people gathered in Binyanei HaUma. The main speaker was Rabbi Wolpo of Kiryat Gat, who is a great Torah scholar and a dedicated Chassid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Rabbi Wolpo knows one thing: the Rebbe said on numerous occasions that pikuach nefesh - saving and protecting life - is something you must teach and preach even when it may not be popular with those who control "the monetary purse strings".
The protest was carried by all the Israeli media, but the TV commentators don't hide their disdain for anyone who has an opinion not like their own. It was upsetting to see decent people trying to discuss the issue, and to witness the derision and lack of respect these journalists have for them. For those in the USA, who at times get upset with Dan Rather or other news anchors who take on a "holier than though" attitude, you have seen nothing compared to what takes place on Israel's news channels.
Morning Service at President Katzav's Synagogue
My good friends, Rabbis Swurdlov and Zeiler, arranged for me to attend the morning minyan at the Beit Hanassi (the President's official residence). I spoke a few words with President Katzav following the minyan and gave him some printed material concerning the disengagement, and other matters. The president is a gracious and wonderful person; Israel is truly fortunate to have such a mensch represent her.
Unity, Prayer and Tzedakah Will Ward Off the Evil Decree
Throughout the week, I had occasion to be touring Jerusalem and to see the excavations under the Western Wall. Praying with the vatikin "sunrise" minyan at the Kotel, together with Jews from every community, Ashkenazi and Sefaradi, is a rare experience, indeed. I believe now, more than ever, we must increase our prayers, Torah study, charity and unity with all Jews, so that modern-day, Haman-like plans are thwarted. Now is the time to do as Mordechai HaYehudi did. We dare not remain indifferent.