It’s been a few days since Hamas attacked Israel and killed around 1200 Israelis (*latest estimate that I hear).
From what I read these terrorists were indiscriminate. They killed everyone in their sight. Men, Women, Children… BABIES.
It’s absolutely horrifying. I’ve also seen that in pure size/ratio this attack on Israel, based on population, is far worse than the US’s 9/11 terror attack. Just let that sink in.
Now part of me is saying Flatten Gaza. But the more measured side of me is that the Palestinians have been in limbo and under what many can call Apartheid.
But that doesn’t excuse what has happened. And if people think that Hamas is just against Israel, they are mistaken. Hamas wants to eradicate the World of Jews.
That’s terrifying and echoes Hitler and the Nazis.
Everyday, I have a slight worry about sending my 10-year-old to school because of America’s love affair with guns and the rampant mass shootings. Now I’m worried he has target on his back because he’s Jewish.
Do I feel for the Palestinian people? Yes. Do I think they should have their own state? YES! Absolutely. But not this way.
Do I think Benjamin Netanyahu is a bad person. Yes. Do I think Israel could do better yes. Much better.
Things are not black and white. They are nowhere near simple.
I one day want to visit Israel, but with each day and each conflict I see that dream grow farther and farther away.
I’m taking this from ReformJudiasm.org
Excerpted from “Prayer for the Peace of the State of Israel”
by Rabbi Ofer Sabath Beit-Halachmi
(English Translation with Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D.)אֲנָא, בְּכֹחַ גְדוּלַת יְמִינֶךָ,
פְּרֹוס עַל מְגִינֵּי אַ רְצֵנּו אֶת סוּכַּת שְׁלֹומֶךָ
שַׂא כַּפְךָ עֲלֵיהֶם וְהַצִּילֵם, מִכֹּל צַר וְאֹורֵב
ומִכֹּל קָלִיעַ מְבַקֵּשׁ נַפְשָׁם.
תֵּן בָּהֶם עֹז וָלֵב, לְהַבְחִין בֵּין אוֹיֵב וְאוֹהֵב
בֵּין בְּנֵי בְּלִיָּיעָל לְּבֵין בְּנֵי אַבְרָהָם.אֲנָא, בְּכֹחַ גְדוּלַת יְמִינֶךָ,
שְׁמוֹר עַל מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, בֵּית חַיֵּינוּ מִקֶּדֶם,
לְמַעַן נַגְדִיל שִמְךָ בֵּין כֹּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם,
אֲנָא בְּכֹחַ ,
אֲנָא, בְּלִי כֹחַ,
בְּלִי כֹּחַ.Ana, b’cho-ach g’dulat y’minecha,
P’ros al m’ginei artzeinu et sukkat sh’lomecha,
Sa kaf’cha aleihem v’hatzileim, mikol tzar v’oreiv
Umikol kalia m’vakeish nafsham.
Tein bahem oz v’leiv, l’havchin bein oyeiv v’oheiv
Bein B’nei B’liyaal l’vein B’nei Avraham.Ana, b’choach g’dulat y’minecha,
Sh’mor al M’dinat Yisrael, beit chayeinu mikedem,
L’maan nagdil Shimcha bein kol ba-ei olam,
Ana b’cho-ach,
Ana bli cho-ach,
Bli ko-ach.“…Please, with the great force of Your right hand,
Spread over the protectors of our land the canopy of Your peace, Lift Your hand over them, save them from all enemy and ambush, from all bullets that threaten their souls.Given them strength and heart, to distinguish between enemy and lover between the people of wickedness and the people of Abraham.
Please, with the great force of Your right hand,
https://reformjudaism.org/blog/prayer-peace
Guard the state of Israel, our eternal homeland.
For the sake of exalting Your name among all the inhabitants of the world,
Please with force,
Please
without use of force.”
Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash