The atrocities committed against the Jewish people throughout history, culminating in the Holocaust, were marked by an unfathomable hatred and disregard for human life. The Nazis, driven by an ideology rooted in anti-Semitism, systematically exterminated six million Jews, including over a million innocent children. It is a painful reminder of the depths to which humanity can sink when fueled by hate.
In the present day, we witness the actions of Hamas, a terrorist organization whose sole aim is to destroy Israel and kill Jews. Their tactics include launching thousands of rockets into densely populated residential areas, miraculously resulting in two fatalities, tragic as they are. This undeniable protection can only be attributed to the watchful eye of God, as demonstrated through open miracles. It is a clear message that we, the Jewish people, are under divine protection.
However, it is essential to remember that this divine protection does not absolve us of our responsibilities. In recent times, there have been movements within Israel that seek to deny Jewish children their basic education and teachings,movements that deny religious values, rejecting the essence of Jewish identity and splitting our nation apart by saying we are not a Jewish state but just another democracy. These movements claim that integration with a democratic and liberal society will benefit us, but they fail to recognize the importance of adhering to the Torah and its commandments and recognition how the Sabbath has protected the Jewish nation for thousands of years, keeping us together and not the other way around thinking we protect the Sabbath.
We all witnessed how communities observing the Sabbath had locked their entrance gates to prevent vehicles from entering and how that protected most oof their residents from the barbaric Hamas Massacre which occurred on the Sabbath.
An alarming example of denial of our heritage and punishing those who preserve the Torah occurred when a student was suspended from an Israeli school for putting on Tefillin, a religious ritual symbolizing devotion to God. The controversy over prayer on Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv was another shock.These incidents not only shocked Jews in Israel but also those around the world who believe in the importance of preserving our religious heritage. It is a wake-up call for us all.
If we expect the world to acknowledge the truth and put aside hate and discrimination, we must first embrace our truth and our Jewish brothers and sisters.
We must not let hate blind our communities and split our nation. It is hypocritical to fight for buses on Shabbat, not only desecrating God's commandments but acting anti-Semitically towards our fellow religious Jews who are part of our own community.
We must acknowledge the obvious protection and miracles that God bestows upon us, just as we expect the world to see the truth. By doing so, we embrace our role as the chosennation and commit ourselves to fulfilling the Torah and its commandments with pride and devotion.
The world's failure to condemn the barbarism of Hamas and the rise in anti-Semitism are deeply concerning. It is a reminder that hate and evil have the power to blind humanity to the truth. However, we must not fall into the same trap. We must recognize the divine protection and miracles that surround us, and in turn, embrace the teachings of the Torah and the role we play as the Jewish people.
In a world filled with darkness, we have the responsibility to be a beacon of light. By staying true to our values and traditions and recognizing the Truth we all witnessed G-d's miracles, we can counter the forces of hate and ignorance and unite our nation. It is only through recognizing the truth and living in accordance with G-d's will that we can create a better world, free from anti-Semitism and violence. It starts with Jews not being blinded by hate and recognizing the truth. Then we have the right to demand that others not be blinded by hate and discrimination.
Duvi Honig heads the Jewish Chamber of Commerce.