Thank God for OU and Young Israel shuls, and for Aish HaTorah, Chabad and other organizations that welcome all Jews, including those who lack “proper” backgrounds, with big English signs that make them feel welcome and invited.
Miriam Fishman
Los Angeles, CA
The Loss Of A Child
The July 19 issue carried a review of the recent book published by OU Press titled “To Mourn a Child.” The tragedy of losing a child at birth is one of those occasions that are most difficult to comprehend. This book deals directly with the ways of the Almighty from a traditional Jewish view.
As a member of the board of NechamaComfort.org, I would like to bring this organization, which is available to all families who need support at that sad time, to the attention of Jewish Press readers.
For further information, please contact its director, Reva Judas, at 201-724-4093.
Rabbi Simcha A. Green
(Via E-Mail)
A People Divided
Sheer Vitriol
I was crying as I read Steve Walz’s July 19 front-page news story on the divisiveness surrounding the selection of the chief rabbis of Israel.
I have no standing to take sides. The issue is the sheer vitriol. Have these great sages forgotten that Tisha B’Av just passed? Have they forgotten that it was precisely this kind of sinas chinam that caused the churban and that this very divisiveness postpones the advent of the Bayis Shlishi?
Our job as Jews is to serve HaKadosh Baruch Hu without ego. May we see the Redemption speedily in our day.
Menachem David
Long Beach, NY
Shame On Us
I fear for the Jewish people.
I fear that despite all the hatred hurled at us over the centuries, we do not learn.
The Beis HaMikdash, the holiest of holies, was destroyed twice and the Jewish people uprooted.
Not too long ago, six million of our people were systematically murdered.
Yet we do not learn from history, nor do we take any level of responsibility.
Hashem has clearly told us that sinat chinam among ourselves is the worst offense against Him.
We are spoiled. God has given us back our biblical homeland, yet we hurl rocks and epithets at each other.
Where is it said that one Jew or person is better or holier than another?
We should all be trembling with fear.
Why did we all just fast and mourn on Tisha B’Av? Why was Jerusalem destroyed? Because of the aforementioned sinat chinam, as well as lashon hara.
Hurling stones at soldiers who defend with their own lives our right to exist, yelling derogatory terms at others, and attacking those wearing knitted kippot would be unheard of if we really feared Hashem’s wrath and His disappointment in his people.
What is the point of learning Torah when so much that is done goes against every tenet in the Torah?
Amalek comes when we fail to honor and respect the law of Hashem, when we feel we can do and act as we please in the name of own sense of righteousness.
Are you not afraid?
We all should be.
Shame on us.
Estelle Lasher
(Via E-Mail)