In the wake of the horrific mass murder of eleven Jews in Pittsburgh last week the country has become obsessed with the wrong point. It is beyond my comprehension, but the media has somehow managed to “blame” President Trump for this murder. Despite the fact that the murderer was an anti-trump lunatic, they feel that he is responsible for this heinous act. Despite the fact that President Trump is the most amicable president to the Jews and Israel in the history of this great nation, he shares the blame for an anti-Semitic attack. Utter insanity!
Chazal teach us an important principle regarding people who assign blame to others. The Gemara in Kedushin 70b says as a general rule: one who says something negative about another, often is guilty of that very thing. How true that dictum is in this scenario. If we were to contemplate which groups should bear responsibility for spreading hate against Israel, the Jewish State, and in so doing towards Jews, we would have to clearly state that it is the left, the liberals, the Democrats, and the main stream media. Which organizations push the BDS movement? Who is it that calls Israel an Apartheid State? Which party blames Israel for violence in Gaza, and elsewhere in Israel? Who is it that broadcasts misleading headlines depicting Israel as the “occupation” killing “innocent” Arab youth? With which political party do Muslim activist associate with? The answer to all of these rhetorical questions and many more is the left, the liberals, the Democrats, and the main stream media; the enemies of the people of America and the true enemies of the Jewish people.
Alas, the majority of the unaffiliated, unorthodox, liberal, Jews in this country will continue to blindly vote for the Democrats, sealing their own fate. This phenomenon is so bothersome for several reasons. Firstly, it is distressing to watch people harm themselves. Cycle after cycle they vote for people who seek the destruction of our homeland; and they can’t even recognize it. And secondly, it gives Jews a bad repute among common sense people. Pro-Israel Americans have a difficult time understanding why so many Jews vote for Democrats when they constantly oppose Israel, while the Republicans are standing with her. Indeed, it is a chillul Hashem for Jews to act so self-afflicting and foolish.
Be that as it may, I began by stating that the focus of the country has been off the mark, and I would like to explain. A tragedy occurred. Jews were targeted and murdered because they were Jews. Our focus should not be who indirectly caused this to transpire. Whenever a tragedy occurs the Gemara in Yevamos 63a says that it is intended for us to learn from. Needless to say, when Jews are targeted the message is closer to home and is certainly intended for us to reflect on. In other words, we believe that Hashem orchestrates every occurrence in the world and when we witness a horrific one that stirs us it carries multiple meanings and messages aimed at informing the Jewish people of His will.
There are generally personal reflections, which every person can introspect on individually, and imbedded in every tragedy there are also assertions aimed at the klal. As a klal are we yearning for the geulah and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash? Do we daven for Hashem to put an end to the galus? Do we think about it seriously? A shooting occurred by a murderer targeting Jews. This makes every Jew feel threatened and not safe. We should remember we are not in our homeland, we are not where we should be, and we should not feel at home here. Hashem wants us to remember we have a home where we would be safe from anti-Semitic attacks under His protection.
The Yalkut in Eichah says that at the time of the churban, Moshe Rabbeinu asked Hashem, Is there any room for the children to return? Hashem responded that there will be a generation that will be mitzapeh for My malchus and they will immediately be redeemed. May we all heed this message transmitted by this horrific tragedy and recognize the need for the geulah and daven and yearn for it so that we may merit it, amen.
