Torah Portion - January 8, 2009

Dvar Torah 1/7/08  Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL

I have not used this space for political comment since arriving at Beth Or.  But the battle being waged in Southern Israel today demands comment.

There are the facts: 1) 10,000 rockets aimed at Jewish settlements and cities, non-military targets were fired from the Gaza strip into Israel since 2001; 2) Israel vacated the Gaza strip completely in 2005 – removing settlements, army bases, etc. – and the rockets continued to fall; 3) Since vacating Gaza in 2005, 6,000 rockets have been launched; 4) the Hamas charter, published in 1988 says, “Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors…”  One cannot understand this situation in any other way than Hamas’ ultimate wish to see Israel destroyed.

And a last word – human shields.  As Israel telephones families in Gaza to warn them of imminent bombing (up to 30 minutes prior), Hamas fighters have been firing rockets from apartment buildings and private homes, amassing weapons in hospitals and Mosques and schools (as Hezbollah did in Southern Lebanon a couple of years ago).  This is against international convention.

Israel, most Palestinians in the West Bank under Fatah, the U.S. and others believe in a 2-state solution in Israel: separate the country into two states – the Jewish state – Israel, and Palestine. 

President Shimon Peres and others of Israel government have said to Hamas all that needs to be done to cease hostilities is for Hamas to stop shooting.  What are they fighting for?  Israel is out of Gaza, it should be time for them to focus on building a nation.  But no, the rockets continue.  Hamas ended the “state of calm” on December 19 and spent 6 months building up for these attacks.

Our hearts are broken.  When people are dying, we are all diminished.  But the world needs to turn its finger pointing to Hamas, their desires for the destruction of Israel, and Israel’s duty to protect its citizens safety through this action.

We pray for the peace of Jerusalem – for Israel.  For peace within its borders, for its health and for all who suffer and for God’s protecting love always.  Psalm 122 says it best,

Psalm 122

A Song of degrees of David:
I was glad when they said unto me:
'Let us go unto the House of the Lord'.
When our feet stood within thy gates, O Jerusalem;
O Jerusalem, built as a city that is united together;
For there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord,
as a testimony of Israel,
to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgement,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
they that love thee shall prosper.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will say now,
peace be within thee.
For the sake of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

AMEN

MARK

Rabbi Mark S. Kram