Jewish Insecurity
In a conversation recently with someone regarding the tension between the USA/Israel and Iran, I made a comment that the Iranian's are crazy and have a death wish.
The person's response was something to the effect of (Iran is crazy) "in our western opinion".
To clarify; my point about the Iranian's being crazy is that there is no negotiating with evil and one definition of evil is having a death wish.
The Torah's position and the position of a morally based value system is that someone who has a death wish is not operating morally.
The point becomes even more emphasized when we frame the position as a Jewish position and the position that Israel MUST take if it takes its responsibility to protect its citizens seriously.
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This Shabbos we will read of the elimination of Amalek, Haman's great grandfather. We are reading this of course because next week will be Purim. Haman and King Achashverosh's desired outcome would have been the elimination of the Jews had Hashem not performed the miracle of Purim.
Amalek, Haman, and the other Anti Semites throughout the ages, including the Iranian regime today, have one agenda, to annihilate all Jews at any cost including their own deaths.
That story hasn't changed.
In the Haftarah our western mind encounters another uncomfortable and understandably insecurity inducing story. The prophet Samuel instructs King Saul to wipe out Amalek and their animals. Saul follows suit but leaves their elderly king and the choicest of animals alive.
When confronted about this by Samuel, the king responds with an ostensibly justified answer. I left the king alive to show him the demise of his people and the animals to sacrifice to G-d.
The Prophet tells him, "it is better to listen than to bring a good offering, to adhere, than the fat of rams". On account of this sin alone, the kingdom was removed from Saul and his family.
Here too we are reminded that it is not what feels good or right that determines what is good or right. When we go with our feelings, we relegate the death wish of terrorists to be a western sentiment. It is the Torah that guides us as to what is right and wrong. These past two years have shown this to us in black and white. If you are not seeing it, your eyes are not open.
We are entering into the season of Purim and at the same time we are apprehensive about the coming days. We offer prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and the IDF and the Armed forces of the USA.
At the same time it is pertinent to remember that how we act, speak and think makes an actual difference. Even if we are struggling with our internal Amalek, our inner Neshama is plugged into Hashem's Truth. And our actions and how we speak can and should reflect a sense of Jewish security.
Wishing you a Good Shabbos and a Happy Purim!
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