Last week, Jerusalem was covered in a white blanket of snow. The city and its roadways almost ground to a complete halt as the snow came down in thick, fluffy flakes. Israeli motorists, not known for being cordial or patient, drove down congested roadways, inching ahead slowly and carefully, and smiling. Snow in Jerusalem does that.
Partly, it is the novelty, but in addition, it is the pure whiteness of the covering. There is a deep sense that there is something dirty and grimy in the upper echelons of this present Israeli government and it feels as if that grime affects all that is around it, as well. The white blanket of snow did much to cover the blackness and uplift the spirit.
You would have thought that this frigid Jerusalem blizzard would keep Israelis at home, but that did not seem to be the case. Weddings and other celebrations went on as planned. An evening honoring Rabbi Sholom Gold and Rabbi Moshe Leventhal, two Jerusalem rabbis was planned for the night it snowed. It looked like it was slated for failure. Yet, much to the surprise of all concerned, almost all the guests arrived, trudging in, caked with ice and snow. The harsh snowy conditions seemed to beckon to some playful, childish part of the Jerusalem residents. The streets were filled with people smiling and playing. In Gan Sacher, people came out just to be together and to frolic in the falling flakes. Some of the younger children were even wishing everybody a Hag Sameach.
As I was driving home in the midst of a snowfall that would have not embarrassed some of the cold Canadian winters of my youth, I saw a large snowman standing near the edge of the sidewalk. It had a round battered black hat and a big citrus orange for a nose and was standing defiantly holding a large pole. It brought smiles to all who drove by.
The next morning, I passed it again, but the snowman had begun to melt. The cute figure from the previous night had begun to look grotesque and almost frightening.
I could not help but think of our prime minister, Ehud Olmert.
Mr. Olmert came into office filled with great arrogance and self assurance. He made dramatic statements and grand pronouncements and no one could convince him of the danger inherent in some of his comments. Then came the war in Lebanon and the subsequent meltdown. Olmert continued to declare and pronounce, but these statements began to sound more and more vacuous. As the pompous political snowman continued to melt, his every action and statement was being ridiculed in the press and in the streets. Last week, at the Zionist youth conference being convened in Haifa, panel discussions revolved around the question of "how did we end up with such mediocre leadership and how can we survive and overcome its dangers?'
Realizing that he had become such a caricature in the eyes of his fellow Israelis, Olmert traveled to Gaza to find love, hugs and kisses from Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader of the Fatah. Instead of forcefully resolving the problem of kidnapped Israeli soldiers , he is contemplating releasing murderous Palestinian terrorists as a humane gesture. Instead of determinately curtailing the rain of terror falling from the skies in Sderot, Olmert released funds into Palestinian hands.
If this melting snowman called Olmert wasn't so reckless and dangerous, it would just be pathetic.
The prophet Malachi (3:19) talks about the sun becoming unsheathed and sending its hot rays to erase all that is evil and dangerous. That process obviously involves a meltdown, as well. May it continue in a painless and healing fashion.
Partly, it is the novelty, but in addition, it is the pure whiteness of the covering. There is a deep sense that there is something dirty and grimy in the upper echelons of this present Israeli government and it feels as if that grime affects all that is around it, as well. The white blanket of snow did much to cover the blackness and uplift the spirit.
You would have thought that this frigid Jerusalem blizzard would keep Israelis at home, but that did not seem to be the case. Weddings and other celebrations went on as planned. An evening honoring Rabbi Sholom Gold and Rabbi Moshe Leventhal, two Jerusalem rabbis was planned for the night it snowed. It looked like it was slated for failure. Yet, much to the surprise of all concerned, almost all the guests arrived, trudging in, caked with ice and snow. The harsh snowy conditions seemed to beckon to some playful, childish part of the Jerusalem residents. The streets were filled with people smiling and playing. In Gan Sacher, people came out just to be together and to frolic in the falling flakes. Some of the younger children were even wishing everybody a Hag Sameach.
As I was driving home in the midst of a snowfall that would have not embarrassed some of the cold Canadian winters of my youth, I saw a large snowman standing near the edge of the sidewalk. It had a round battered black hat and a big citrus orange for a nose and was standing defiantly holding a large pole. It brought smiles to all who drove by.
The next morning, I passed it again, but the snowman had begun to melt. The cute figure from the previous night had begun to look grotesque and almost frightening.
I could not help but think of our prime minister, Ehud Olmert.
Mr. Olmert came into office filled with great arrogance and self assurance. He made dramatic statements and grand pronouncements and no one could convince him of the danger inherent in some of his comments. Then came the war in Lebanon and the subsequent meltdown. Olmert continued to declare and pronounce, but these statements began to sound more and more vacuous. As the pompous political snowman continued to melt, his every action and statement was being ridiculed in the press and in the streets. Last week, at the Zionist youth conference being convened in Haifa, panel discussions revolved around the question of "how did we end up with such mediocre leadership and how can we survive and overcome its dangers?'
Realizing that he had become such a caricature in the eyes of his fellow Israelis, Olmert traveled to Gaza to find love, hugs and kisses from Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader of the Fatah. Instead of forcefully resolving the problem of kidnapped Israeli soldiers , he is contemplating releasing murderous Palestinian terrorists as a humane gesture. Instead of determinately curtailing the rain of terror falling from the skies in Sderot, Olmert released funds into Palestinian hands.
If this melting snowman called Olmert wasn't so reckless and dangerous, it would just be pathetic.
The prophet Malachi (3:19) talks about the sun becoming unsheathed and sending its hot rays to erase all that is evil and dangerous. That process obviously involves a meltdown, as well. May it continue in a painless and healing fashion.