No one from the Red Cross has seen him in all the time of his captivity, and let's be honest, people make more of an effort to say "G-d bless you" to a sneezing stranger than the Red Cross has made to try and see Shalit. But then, he's just a Jew, right?
She goes on wondering why it is that Israel in turn coddles her enemies in her prisons with internet access, television. Even Barghouti is allowed regular contact with his henchmen via telephone. The world tears clothes and dons sackcloth and ashes for these murderers, while Shalit, who was on the Israeli side of the border, not even engaged in a combat situation when he was kidnapped, doesn't even register on the roster of human rights organizations, nor is his name uttered by the Resident in the White House, or his Secretary of State while she announces the US is transferring $200 million into the pockets of his kidnappers' enablers in the Palestinian Authority.
Batya is right. The Israeli government, regardless of who has led it, has failed to stand up for the Jewish people, our right to our land, our right to be free of violence and genocide, and for the freeing of our soldiers.
But who is Nachshon?
The Sefer HaAggadah tells us that when the Israelites were pinned between the oncoming chariots of Pharoah and Yam Suf, the tribes were bickering among themselves as to who would be the first to enter the water. In the midst of this Nachshon ben Aminadav of the tribe of Yehuda took it upon himself to enter the water. When the water reached his nose the waters receded and the whole of Israel entered.
Is there a more appropriate reference to what Israel requires now? The politicians argue back and forth, the games get played over and over. Meanwhile the international community, led by a racist baffoon in the White House, bears down on the Jewish state, and her enemies on her borders lick their lips, waiting for the opportunity to end Israel once and for all. While Israel once again stands between the chariots and the sea, who among the nation will take the leap of faith required to undo the schemes of our enemies, and help clear a path to achieving the kind of Israel the Jewish people want, and that HaShem desires?
Do we wait for a Nachshon to instigate the parting of the waters, or does that spirit reside in all of us? The Midrash goes on to say that while all this was happening Moshe was praying. G-d asks why he is wasting his time praying when the people are in mortal danger. Moshe replies that he doesn't know what else to do. HaShem tells Moshe to bid the people to enter the water, and to lift his rod. Essentially G-d tells Moshe to lead. There are leaders in Israel with the vision, but in the end it is up to the people to rise up, to leap into the waters, and clear the path, to do what the politicians cannot.
Here in the States, the American people face the same dilemna. The Constitution is assaulted and people wonder who is going to lead them to take it back. Now they are finding they will have to do it themselves. Israel is no different.
One person can make a difference. One person can set events in motion, have the vision, but the will must live in the hearts of the people. The love of Eretz Yisrael, and the love of G-d that dwells in the heart of Israel must emerge, without fear, and make the waters part. In that place Nachshon will be found.
Successive Israeli Governments have just been embarrassments and failures. It's time to stop and use the strength G-d has given us. Nachshon, where are you?
Batya is right. The Israeli government, regardless of who has led it, has failed to stand up for the Jewish people, our right to our land, our right to be free of violence and genocide, and for the freeing of our soldiers.
But who is Nachshon?
The Sefer HaAggadah tells us that when the Israelites were pinned between the oncoming chariots of Pharoah and Yam Suf, the tribes were bickering among themselves as to who would be the first to enter the water. In the midst of this Nachshon ben Aminadav of the tribe of Yehuda took it upon himself to enter the water. When the water reached his nose the waters receded and the whole of Israel entered.
Is there a more appropriate reference to what Israel requires now? The politicians argue back and forth, the games get played over and over. Meanwhile the international community, led by a racist baffoon in the White House, bears down on the Jewish state, and her enemies on her borders lick their lips, waiting for the opportunity to end Israel once and for all. While Israel once again stands between the chariots and the sea, who among the nation will take the leap of faith required to undo the schemes of our enemies, and help clear a path to achieving the kind of Israel the Jewish people want, and that HaShem desires?
Do we wait for a Nachshon to instigate the parting of the waters, or does that spirit reside in all of us? The Midrash goes on to say that while all this was happening Moshe was praying. G-d asks why he is wasting his time praying when the people are in mortal danger. Moshe replies that he doesn't know what else to do. HaShem tells Moshe to bid the people to enter the water, and to lift his rod. Essentially G-d tells Moshe to lead. There are leaders in Israel with the vision, but in the end it is up to the people to rise up, to leap into the waters, and clear the path, to do what the politicians cannot.
Here in the States, the American people face the same dilemna. The Constitution is assaulted and people wonder who is going to lead them to take it back. Now they are finding they will have to do it themselves. Israel is no different.
One person can make a difference. One person can set events in motion, have the vision, but the will must live in the hearts of the people. The love of Eretz Yisrael, and the love of G-d that dwells in the heart of Israel must emerge, without fear, and make the waters part. In that place Nachshon will be found.
Maybe it's this guy. We'll see. Regardless, the People of Israel are going to have to release the power of their love of the land, and of HaShem, to see the changes that need to be made, to see the liberation of her captive sons, and the liberation of the land.
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Stuey, thanks for elaborating on my post.
ReplyDeleteWe all must be Nachshon, each and every one of us must do what's right without fear.
My pleasure, and well said. These are the times for us to stand for what we believe in, have pride in who we are, and have no fear. Like we read this past Shabbat; HaShem goes before us, the G-d of Israel is our rear guard.
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