Antisemitism is Real (Whether you See it or Not)
A scape goat - first appears in the Bible: Azazel The sins of the people whispered away as Azazel is led away. Thousands of years later, Azazel has returned The sins of the people are back and we can see and hear the hate. “I don’t hate Jews…I am just protesting the Apartheid Israeli Government.” “Israel is the colonizer…David has become Goliath.” “Yes, Hamas is bad…but Israel is just as bad.” “From the river to the sea…” Hate spews from the mouths of the people - against ALL Jews. Fear causes closures; hate causes fear; IGNORANCE causes hate. Misinformation leads to ignorance…no question! The moral system is turned upside down as education is severely lacking. Golda Meir “Their will be peace in the Middle East only when the Arabs love their children more than they hate Israel.” “The world hates a Jew who hits back. The world loves us only when we are to be pitied.” “If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.” Peace Will Come Peace will Come someday. Israelis, Palestinians Neighbors, Partners Jews, Muslims Cousins, Family We will fight Until we don’t. Protecting our people Is without question. Where is support? Who to trust? Jews will not fear. Jews will not run. Jews will love God. Jews will love all. Cries, Screams, Shrills, Shrieks, Yells, Squeals
Suddenly the silence feels foreign Sounds ring through the silence Where is the deafening silence we once yearned for? Bullets, broken glass, agony, fear, pain Suddenly peacefulness feels alien Panic causes people to run in different directions When will the deafening silence return to us? God - where are you? Have you abandoned us? Please help us to make sense of this chaos. Send healing to all of those who are still terrified or in pain. God - why does this keep happening? What else can we do? The silence we once sought is far away from where we are. The deafening sounds of fear and pain have replaced that silence. God - we are exhausted and really need your help. God - please answer us and bring us peace. The music plays quietly in my ears
The news scrolls by in front of my eyes My brain is struggling with so many thoughts Is it ok to just sit and be? I look out the window and see the passing clouds It is sunny today and warmer than yesterday Shabbat comes soon Another week passed while they still suffer. A headline flashes on the screen in front of me One nation under fire in defense of her people One nation under fire in defense of her people The suffering is getting worse, not better. Each day brings new blessings Each day brings news of more curses I take a deep breath It is never ending…and yet we must crawl forward. Open your eyes, look around - what do you see?
Clear the wax out of your ears, listen deeply - what do you hear? Blow your nose, inhale through your nostrils - what do you smell? Reach out with your fingers, touch something - what do you feel? Stick your tongue out, feel the air - what do you taste? Our senses allow us to experience the world - and we each do it differently. What happens if one of our senses lessens or one is greater? If we smell but are unable to see - are we actually able to understand? If we hear a sound but are unable to touch what we hear - is it real? What if our reality is different from someone or everyone else? Each of us lives in this world - yet, we may perceive it so diversely? What about our observations of the world? Surely we see things opposite of others. Which is right…which is wrong? Who makes the determination? We live each day with questions…and sometimes we never get answers. It is not up to you…or me…or him…or her…or them…to be right. It is up to all of us to be wrong… We can all be right…and yet, we can all be wrong. Realizing that each perception or each experience is right…and wrong. Does this make our reality unreal? Does it even matter? A True Scholar, Mensch, Rabbi and Friend
I opened my eyes this morning Adjusted to the light I was awake for sure But my heart was in pain. Hanukkah - the Festival of Lights Children laughing and playing I smiled for sure But a light was missing for me. A people with hope, we pray for tomorrow The Hanukiyah glows glaringly I look to that light for sure Even as it shimmers, not so slightly. There is so much to pray about and for Without your light, Rabbi I yearn for you and your light for sure This light will never go out - as long as your memory lives on. |
AuthorI am a husband, father and rabbi - just trying to help to make the world a better place! Archives
April 2024
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