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Posted on 09/24/2004 11:58:36 AM PDT by anotherview
Friday, September 24, 2004
Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Hatima Tov
by Caitlyn M. Martin
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and the most solemn day in the Jewish year, starts at sundown this evening. (As of this writing it has already started in Israel.) For Jews around the world it is a time of fasting, prayer, and repentance. In Israel everything shuts down for Yom Kippur, from television and radio stations, to public transportation, to all non-emergency government services. Most Israeli Jews, even those who normally consider themselves secular, will be in a synagogue for Kol Nidre services tonight.
Sadly, Yom Kippur also means a high alert in Israel as the Palestinians always step up their campaign of terror during the Jewish High Holy Days. This week we have already seen two young Israeli border policemen, age 19 and 20, give their lives to stop a suicide bomber in the heart of Jerusalem, almost certainly saving dozens of lives and scores of injuries. We have seen injuries as Qassam rockets fired by Hamas from the Gaza strip struck a school and a private home in Sderot, in Israel proper. Tiferet Trantner, a 24 woman was killed this morning in Neve Dekalim in Gaza, when mortars slammed into her home. She was a civillian, not a soldier, and her settlement, really a thoroughly modern town, is scheduled for unilateral withdrawal next year.
Of course, Israeli withdrawal and an end to occupation doesn't matter to the terrorists. Nothing short of the destruction of Israel will do. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar, in hiding in Gaza, is quoted:
"The fact is that Palestine, all of Palestine, belongs to the Muslims. Any temporary plan that refers only to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem does not negate our absolute right to all of Palestine."
The sad fact remains that the 84 year old war between Israel and the Arabs is, was, and always has been about the expulsion or extermination of the Jewish people. It seems to me that peace with people who will accept no compromise and only want to be able to commit genocide and wipe out a nation is not a possibility. Despite this President Bush, together with the U.N., keep insisting that Israel make concessions prior to the Palestinians taking even one step to end terror attacks. Of course, asking terrorists to stop terrorism is a bit ridiculous. Would President Bush be willing to make unilateral concessions to al-Qaida in the hope that it might promote peace? I think not.
There is also a long tradition of attacking on the holiest day of the Jewish year. In 1973 all of Israel's neighbors thought Yom Kippur the perfect day to launch a war when Israel would be in prayer. Memorials to those who gave their lives 31 years ago to prevent the destruction of the Jewish state are also being held today.
Elsewhere around the world those who hate the Jewish people see the High Holy Days as a time to vent their anti-Semitism. In Ostrava, Czech Republic a Holocaust memorial was vandalized this week. Addressing the worldwide rise in anti-Semitism and the United Nations' perpetual one-sided and totally biased condemnations of Israel, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom called on the world body:
"...to address the growth of anti-Semitism and other forms of racism and intolerance."
On Thursday he called on the General Assembly to "refocus its priorities":
"I call on this assembly to end its obsession with Israel and to ensure that UN resources are allocated more equally and more effectively. We must not let the Palestinian desire to vilify Israel distract our global community from the obligation to address the needs of all peoples."
I fear his plea fell on deaf ears. Israel and the Jewish people have few friends in this world. In this time of reflection I ask that all of Israel's friends and supporters think about how we can better defend Israel and insure her continued existence.
I wish you all Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Hatima Tov, a greeting for the Sabbath and an easy fast on this Yom Kippur.
Oh, and yes, Cait supports Kerry as you will find if you click through to her blog. She is a Democrat as most American Jews are. Still... this article is *very* good.
I'd like to wish a very easy fast and a meaningful Yom Kippur to all the Jewish Freepers.
Shabbat shalom, MF (in the U.S. with family for the holidays)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12
This Gentile will be saying a prayer for all of my Jewish friends this evening.
I'm Jewish, voting for Bush, as most of the Jews I know are. I have NO CLUE what Jews they are polling.
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Hoping for an easy fast for those who are fasting.
You have my prayers for your son's safety. May Ha'shem look over him and all who are serving with him, spending their holiday away from home so that Israelis can be safe.
Maybe they polled my family in America. They are all voting for Kerry, even those who have traditionally voted Republican.
May peace be his and all Israels. amen
I can understand Democratic/Kerry support among the granola-headed left, but I will never understand it among "Zionists."
Kerry would stop this how???
Chatimah tovah lekhol Beit Yisra'el.
Yes, Alouette, my Friend...and Fellow FReepers:
We will Continue to PRAY for your Beloved SON:
Joseph ben Leah-Meta in the IDF, for His Safety, Protection and Wellbeing; and also for ALL of the IDF, IAF and Israeli Navy and Special Ops too.
We know that HaShem - Blessed IS HIS HOLY NAME has HIS Mighty Right Arm on ALL of our Soldiers in ISRAEL and also on our AMERICAN Soldiers all over the World.
These are the ones (and their Families) who Selflessly Sacrifice their ALL to KEEP US SAFE AND FREE.
As Shabbos and Yom Kippur approach within an hour or two, may we ALL remember to PRAY for Protection for:
ISRAEL, JERUSALEM, THE IDF, JEWISH FAMILIES all over the World who are being persecuted because they are Jewish.
May ALL who read this have a Fast in which HaShem speaks to Our Hearts, Forgives Our Sins, Comforts Our Souls and Brings Healing and Shalom to Our Households.
Amen ~ and ~ Amen.
PING to my post # 13.
They are polling lots of my extended family, and most of the L.A. "Jewish elite" except for the few and the brave of us out of the closet. However, I'd like to think that Dennis Prager has gotten through to some of the others and that even with the ubiquitous Kerry sticker on the car, some might in the privacy of the voting booth pull the lever for Bush.
I extend my wishes for an easy fast and a peaceful, holy Yom Kippur to all my fellow Jewish Freepers.
I just drove past the Orthodox shul in my neighborhood and was glad to see that the local police have placed the squad car right outside the door.
Wishing you a very good New Year.
A sweet and healthy year.
You too...
G'mar chatima tova to all... After all G-d opens and seals in the book of life for all His creatures... :-)
Dear Yaelle,
Praying for You and Your Household.
Please see the comment I posted on # 13, got to go and finish setting our Shabbos Table, it is getting late here.
May HaShem Bless You and Your Household.
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