Among the plethora of expressions which have become accepted and  quoted throughout the generations, the words "blind faith" seem particularly incongruous to me. Seemingly, they are applied to those individuals who remain loyal to our Creator through triumph or trag

Yet, it is precisely  the people  of faith who do see - what others often do not or cannot.    

After all, which human being  has not been tried and tested?

When our hopes and aspirations are dashed about in the stormy sea of life; when  dear loved ones, chas v'shalom  are taken from us; when our valued personal relationships  fail and we are left emotionally drained- the eternal question, "why did this happen to me" often plagues us,

For the Jewish people collectively, the trials and tribulations in this short existence are compounded many times over.

Historically, even some of the greatest heroes in the Tanach were subjected to excruciatingly painful experiences.

Our Forefather Abraham, King David and Job are just  a few that come to mind. Yet, they accepted their afflictions as the will of the Almighty  with an all encompassing faith that their suffering had a Divine purpose and  in the end G-D'S mercy would once more shine upon them.  

By contrast, many  Jews today  denounce Judaism's teachings. They question why Jews suffer throughout the ages,  while our enemies seem to proliferate in every generation.   

If, however, one  were to carefully examine Jewish history, particularly the events in recent times which , with help of the Almighty resulted in the rebirth and establishment of Medinat Yisrael after the unspeakable Holocaust, it is more than likely that one can beging to understand  the Torah's concept of reward and punishment.

It is common knowledge that if a  contract exists between two parties, should  one of the parties break that which is legally binding,  he will have to pay the consequence of his action.

How much more so does this principle apply between G-D and man?

Five thousand  years ago,  an Eternal Covenant was  entered  between G-D Blessed is He, and the Jewish people.

We were chosen to be "a light unto the nations" and by adherence to the Holy Torah to set an example for all mankind.

With  great love and mercy for Am Yisrael,  Hashem ended the long and bitter Exile in our time with the establishment of our  resurrected Jewish homeland, fulfilling the Biblical promise:

"I will take you out from among the nations and plant you on your land in order for the world to see that I am your G-D".

And what have Jews allowed to happen in Eretz Yisrael under Jewish sovereignty?

After countless wars launched by  Arabs against Medinat Yisrael in which ,with G-D'S help, we were victorious... Israel has snatched defeat from victory by giving up parts of our sacred land to the Arab enemies!    

Israeli "leaders" have allowed Arab terror to accelerate by releasing terrorist killers from prison  who often repeat their murderous atrocities against innocent Jewish men, women and children when they are free!

The government of the Jewish State, continues to tolerate the desecration perpetrated by Arab mobs on the Temple Mount and forbids Jews from praying at JUDAISM'S HOLIEST SITE!

By these shameful transgressions and others,  Jews defy the Covenant at Sinai which we pledged to uphold eternally.  

As this special time of the Days of Awe, let us pray that Jews everywhere will do "teshuva' and "shuva" by returning to G-D  and to the Jewish homeland Eretz Yisrael. 

In this merit, may G-D, blessed is He,  "judge us" with great love and mercy.

Shifra Hoffman, journalist and activist, is founder of the VICTIMS of ARAB TERROR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION and Executive Director of SHUVA (The Israel Emergency Aliyah Movement). She can be reached at email: hoffmanshifra@gmail.com