How can it be that those who now protest Israel’s defensive actions remained silent while thousands of missiles were being launched at Israeli cities and villages? My great-grandchildren in Israel mimic the warning sirens. It’s terrifying. I was there in Sderot. I saw the homes and buildings that were damaged and the terrible scars left on the hearts of the young and the elderly in particular.
Finally Israel decided it wouldn’t be terrorized like this any longer. Our soldiers went forth to destroy the missiles, the launching pads, and the tunnels where the killers were hiding with their weapons and from where they crossed into Israel to murder our people. And then suddenly the nations of world found their voices.
Those of us who refuse to learn from our past can’t understand it. It’s not because we’re so naïve but rather because most Jews are liberals who want to believe in a higher civilization –one that shuns cruelty and barbaric savagery.
So what is the solution? My recent columns have centered on the passage in our Torah that tells us we are “a nation destined to dwell alone…and not considered among the nations of the world.” But it’s in that very loneliness that we find our strength. It’s in that very loneliness that we turn to our G-d, for He is the only One who can help us – and the sooner we realize that the faster and the mightier our salvation will be.
My granddaughter shared with me a letter she found online from an Israeli soldier in Gaza to his Jewish brethren. It speaks to so much of what ails us a people. Let us take it to heart and act upon it. The following are excerpts from that letter:
Today our hearts are pounding in fear. Who of us will die? And who will return safely?…. We are fighting so you and all our people can live peacefully….. We are your protection. Will you be ours?
We are going on our dangerous mission knowing some of us will not come back…. We are going with dedication and devotion. We are asking you to be our protection with your prayers. Protect us by going above and beyond yourselves in Torah and mitzvot….
Pray for us. Pray that you won’t see another mother burying her son. Pray that you won’t see our wives as widows raising our children in tears. Pray that our children will grow up knowing who their fathers are. Pray that we will eliminate the terrorists who aim to destroy us, and that we will not injure innocent women and children.
Please, we are begging you, as you are reading this…. [s]ay a chapter of Tehillim…. Take upon yourselves another good deed. And please pass this on. I’m certain that your prayer will make a difference.
Remember, we are in it together. We are on the front lines carrying the weapons and you are fighting along with us in your prayers. Each word of your prayer gives us strength, protection and success.
Powerful words indeed. I will have more to say on this subject in my next column.