This week's dvar torah is not for the faint of heart. Just a warning :)
Well, it's official: Israel's entire southern border with Egypt has been compromised. Israel is currently at one of its highest security alerts. The reason? Our dear Gaza friends, who have broken into Egypt, can now easily cross back into Israel, simply by walking through the fence that signifies the Israeli-Egyptian border.
And you know what? I really feel sorry for you folks. You're missing one heck of a show.
Let’s take a look at a few things.
Two years ago, the Israeli government destroyed the lives of thousands of families, by giving the Arabs, Gush Katif. As I hear it, American Jews have absolutely no concept of what the reality is here. Many probably have said, "Yes, that's terrible. But we must continue to support the State, since it's OURS and the only one we have".
Very nice.
What you probably don't know about is how it not only took away the jobs, property and homes of these people; but it destroyed families and lives. Divorce rates, family problems, unemployment, no homes... these are the things that the Gush Katif families have suffered through since they were kicked out. Before handing over, the government promised financial aid, homes, new communities, the ability to help the residents move, help finding new jobs, etc. None of that has occurred. The government took away their homes and possessions and left them with nothing but empty promises.
Imagine your shock if the Arabs did that instead of the Israeli government? Would you be looking at Gush Katif in the same way? I think not.
Now, Gush Katif is firmly in our enemies hands.
Let's talk about Sderot. Two years and going of constant rocket attack. Despite the fact that the government encouraged these people to move there, what are they doing to protect them?
Ignoring it. TWO YEARS of rocket attack and no help whatsoever for these people.
There were two small terrorist attacks nearby my neighborhood, where unfortunately, two border policemen were killed. One of them took place by the Arab neighborhood of Shuafat, which I just learned is technically a Palestinian Refugee Camp.
While Gush Katif residents are living in squander, Sderot residents are under constant rocket attack, Jerusalem residents daven that their city should not be split in half; Shuafat residents own beautiful homes, satellite dishes, and have free access within Israel.
Who helps pay for it? That's right, the government.
When the Shmittah year began, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the Rabbinate to certify certain fruits and vegetables as 'kosher' despite the fact that the Rabbinate thought the fruits were questionable at best. Since it's Shmittah and still many farmers do not keep Shmittah according to halacha, there will be a rise in prices for those who follow Jewish law in terms of fruits and vegetables, due to a lack of kosher supply. There was a push to allow more imports to offset these costs. However, the government felt differently and refused to allow more fruits and vegetables. Whether or not religious families would have to pay more for their basic needs is not the concern of the government.
Just this past week, a major frost hit Israel, destroying large amounts of crops. It’s pretty hard to find carrots, zucchinis, eggplant, etc. to buy, especially at a reasonable price. So, the government, after realizing that even they will suffer, has now decided that perhaps it's wise to allow imports after all.
The lesson: when Hashem wants something done, he gets it done. When you follow the Torah, no matter what the government may want to do, Hashem can easy go over their heads.
The point of this “rant” is to remind people, especially outside of Israel, of one thing. The ONLY one you can depend on is Hashem Himself. Many Americans still hold on to this belief that by 'supporting' Israel by going to protests, giving money to the government (which goes to the Shuafat Refugee Camp), and other assortment of things, they are actually helping Israel.
Well. They're not.
This week's parsha says, "For if you hearken to his voice and do all that I shall speak, then I shall be the enemy of your enemies and I shall oppress your oppressors. For My anger shall go before you and bring you to the Amorite, and the Hittite... and I will annihilate them."
I've said it before and it needs to be said more and more.
It's very easy to sit back when you live a life where the supermarket always has all the foods in the world, where you're not surrounded by people who want to kill you, and where one of your biggest concerns is who's going to win the Super bowl. It's easy to lose sense of what is going on in this world.
Thank G-d, when you are surrounded by people who do want to kill you, you don't always have all the food in the world (thank G-d there is food in the first place), where the government who is supposed to protect you is helping the enemy in nearly every way possible; you begin to be very much aware of Hashem's hand and the importance of being careful in your mitzvah observance.
We are living in trying times. Some people can see it, some cannot. Those who can see it understand what can be done about it.
While you watch the news every night and "tsk" or even get mad at what is going on in Israel, know one thing: There is a LOT more going on then you think and quite often who you think is your friend is really your enemy.
With this in mind, if anybody is taking what I say to heart, if you want to help out those living in Israel, you can do the following things:
1. Take on an additional mitzvah that you have not been doing or improve upon one that you are lax in. If you're not making it to davening on time, make it a point to improve on that. If you're not careful in dressing in a proper manner, do so. If you don't wear tzitzis, do so. Cut down on your loshon horah. The list is endless. There is no reason that each individual can find something tailored to him.
2. Work on your emunah, your faith. Next time you hear the local news about Israel being discussed, don't even think of saying: "Well, I think Israel should do this or do that" or "It's all the Arabs fault". Both of these statements are ridiculous and have no basis in emunah. As said above, the government has no power. They could do whatever they want. If we are not on the proper spiritual level as we should, it will only be for the worse. In terms of the Arabs, Hashem has directed them against us, BECAUSE OF US.
I have no doubt in the world, since I've seen it here on a smaller scale, many times, with many different people; working on your relationship with Hashem is the ONLY way to improve the situation for the Jewish people as a whole, and certainly for those living under fire.
If you want to say, "That's nice, but you need to do hishtadlus (make a conceited effort), by supporting the State in it's time of need with financial and emotional support, because they are the only country we have".
Well... I don't think the former residents of Gush Katif would agree with you.