It is so easy to lose perspective. It is so easy to ponder the obstacles strewn before you and lose perspective of the destination that lies in the distance. When people of small vision, like our present prime minister, see an obstacle in front of them, they become obsessed with removing it without considering that this small object may in fact be the greatest bulwark against impending tides of terror and aggression. They may also be too short-sighted to understand that this object in their way may have been set in place thousands of years prior, by forces they cannot even comprehend.
Without a clear perspective, it becomes seemingly imperative for people such as these to avoid the facts on the ground, lest they get in the way of "the here and the now". It becomes important to ignore the warnings of military advisers and tacticians, since nothing can get in the way of the offering and the implementing of the "easy answer".
During Sunday's cabinet meeting, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter urged Israel to step-up operations in Gaza and reoccupy territories there to prevent ongoing Kassam attacks on the western Negev. Ehud Olmert's government will not allow something like that to happen.
In an interview with Haaretz, the outgoing head of the National Security Council (NSC), Major General Giora Eiland, describes the "Disengagement" from the Gaza Strip as a "missed opportunity of historic proportions." The man, whose last posting in the IDF was as head of operations, also warns that the Convergence Plan will not bring stability to the Middle East. Eiland says, ?The Disengagement contributed nothing to the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." He continues to describe the perils of Olmert's next plan of expulsion,"The convergence will not bring stability. It will not solve the conflict. "
Immediately following these statements , Olmert's spin doctors began attacking Giora Eiland's reputation.
Yet, it is important to remember that short-sightedness does not only lead to confusion and difficulties. It also leads to frustration and fatigue. Poor spiritual vision leads to a weakened heart of determination.
History and world events seem to have a way of separating the weak of heart from the strong-willed souls. The lack of stamina and drive of those of short-sighted vision usually give way to the will and passion of the hearts beating with faith. This eloquent statement of fact is not a function of wishful thinking and dreamy faith, but is rather a simple appraisal of all the great movements of change in world history.
This has been a month of determined will of passion. This has been a month to witness the true heart of this people.
For several days before Jerusalem Day celebrations, the streets of the Old City have filled with students of Israel?s secular and religious schools; young people from all over, converging in Jerusalem to declare their connection and affection for this city. Most would not express that desire in spiritual terms, yet their presence filled the city with hope.
Several days after Jerusalem Day, another group of tens of thousands of children arrived in Jerusalem with their parents from all corners of this country. They arrived from secular, traditional and religious schools. All these parents and children were part of the M'Breishit movement and had been allotting an evening a week to study the Torah portion all year. The day of activities culminated in a musical concert in a large park. All around me families were dancing together to the music. Mothers dancing with their children, singing and laughing. A father holding a baby and dancing. Three young children whirling in a circle around their parents. Each family representing the essence of the heart of this people.
On Shavuot, late at night, Jews from all corners of the city made their way up to the Western Wall for dawn prayers. A trickle of people beginning in each neighborhood, becoming a mighty river of the faithful entering the gates of the Old City.
On Jerusalem Day itself, over 60,000 people with flags billowing surrounded the Old City and entered each gate, singing and dancing. Each of the alleys became a pulsating artery of song and faith, winding towards the heart of Jerusalem, the Western Wall at the foot of the Temple Mount.
The battle for the future of this country is being waged between those who see Tel Aviv as their spiritual capital and those who see Jerusalem as the heart and soul of this 3,000-year-old people. This people's experience in history has taught that the weak and faint of heart will weaken and step aside. Those with a determined heart will move Jewish history forward.
On the evening of Jerusalem Day celebrations, I stood up on the hill overlooking the Western Wall plaza. Tens of thousands of people were singing and dancing, holding flags of blue, white and orange. Due to the fact that there were so many people, it was impossible for the circles to dance freely. Instead, the people simply jumped up and down. As I watched the numbers of people still streaming into the plaza, and the thousands pulsating up and down, I was struck by the image of a living, beating heart. Here was the healthy heart of the Jewish people, invigorated and refreshed for the long voyage ahead.
This, after all is said and done, was truly the heart of the matter.
Without a clear perspective, it becomes seemingly imperative for people such as these to avoid the facts on the ground, lest they get in the way of "the here and the now". It becomes important to ignore the warnings of military advisers and tacticians, since nothing can get in the way of the offering and the implementing of the "easy answer".
During Sunday's cabinet meeting, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter urged Israel to step-up operations in Gaza and reoccupy territories there to prevent ongoing Kassam attacks on the western Negev. Ehud Olmert's government will not allow something like that to happen.
In an interview with Haaretz, the outgoing head of the National Security Council (NSC), Major General Giora Eiland, describes the "Disengagement" from the Gaza Strip as a "missed opportunity of historic proportions." The man, whose last posting in the IDF was as head of operations, also warns that the Convergence Plan will not bring stability to the Middle East. Eiland says, ?The Disengagement contributed nothing to the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." He continues to describe the perils of Olmert's next plan of expulsion,"The convergence will not bring stability. It will not solve the conflict. "
Immediately following these statements , Olmert's spin doctors began attacking Giora Eiland's reputation.
Yet, it is important to remember that short-sightedness does not only lead to confusion and difficulties. It also leads to frustration and fatigue. Poor spiritual vision leads to a weakened heart of determination.
History and world events seem to have a way of separating the weak of heart from the strong-willed souls. The lack of stamina and drive of those of short-sighted vision usually give way to the will and passion of the hearts beating with faith. This eloquent statement of fact is not a function of wishful thinking and dreamy faith, but is rather a simple appraisal of all the great movements of change in world history.
This has been a month of determined will of passion. This has been a month to witness the true heart of this people.
For several days before Jerusalem Day celebrations, the streets of the Old City have filled with students of Israel?s secular and religious schools; young people from all over, converging in Jerusalem to declare their connection and affection for this city. Most would not express that desire in spiritual terms, yet their presence filled the city with hope.
Several days after Jerusalem Day, another group of tens of thousands of children arrived in Jerusalem with their parents from all corners of this country. They arrived from secular, traditional and religious schools. All these parents and children were part of the M'Breishit movement and had been allotting an evening a week to study the Torah portion all year. The day of activities culminated in a musical concert in a large park. All around me families were dancing together to the music. Mothers dancing with their children, singing and laughing. A father holding a baby and dancing. Three young children whirling in a circle around their parents. Each family representing the essence of the heart of this people.
On Shavuot, late at night, Jews from all corners of the city made their way up to the Western Wall for dawn prayers. A trickle of people beginning in each neighborhood, becoming a mighty river of the faithful entering the gates of the Old City.
On Jerusalem Day itself, over 60,000 people with flags billowing surrounded the Old City and entered each gate, singing and dancing. Each of the alleys became a pulsating artery of song and faith, winding towards the heart of Jerusalem, the Western Wall at the foot of the Temple Mount.
The battle for the future of this country is being waged between those who see Tel Aviv as their spiritual capital and those who see Jerusalem as the heart and soul of this 3,000-year-old people. This people's experience in history has taught that the weak and faint of heart will weaken and step aside. Those with a determined heart will move Jewish history forward.
On the evening of Jerusalem Day celebrations, I stood up on the hill overlooking the Western Wall plaza. Tens of thousands of people were singing and dancing, holding flags of blue, white and orange. Due to the fact that there were so many people, it was impossible for the circles to dance freely. Instead, the people simply jumped up and down. As I watched the numbers of people still streaming into the plaza, and the thousands pulsating up and down, I was struck by the image of a living, beating heart. Here was the healthy heart of the Jewish people, invigorated and refreshed for the long voyage ahead.
This, after all is said and done, was truly the heart of the matter.