Although it’s been less than three months since the October 7 massacre, which has changed Israel and the world, we should at this point begin to learn some very important lessons. I know that it is not up to me to preach to the public, but I am entitled to express my analyses of what is happening.
We are one. We are the greatest. One of the very good things to emerge from this horrible crisis is that we are one people after all. Leading up to October 7, Israel was at the brink of a civil war. Left vs. Right. Religious vs. Secular. Everybody vs. the chareidim. Demonstrations and counterdemonstrations all over the country, some very vicious. The stated reason was the issue of Judicial Reform. But that really had nothing to do with the divide. It was the political/religious tensions reaching a boiling point.
As a result of the horrors of October 7, the sense of common purpose united Jews throughout the globe, as all began to understand the unique place of Jews among the nations. Suddenly, many of the most ardently anti-Zionist Jews felt the need to be supportive and proud of the State of Israel. (Sorrowfully, there are some notable exceptions, such as J Street and Neturei Karta.)
The unimaginable chesed that has emanated from this war is an inspiration for all of mankind. Secular, religious, and chareidi Jews throughout the world have come through for the soldiers in the IDF and their families with indescribable and creative acts of kindness and generosity. Shai Graucher is the best known – but not at all the only one – whose energy, generosity, and creativity defy all understanding. The chesed coming from every single quarter proclaims to the world that indeed we are Hashem’s Chosen. And for good reason.
Liberalism is dead. One of the gods that perished in this awful war was the Jewish god of liberalism. Jews have fought for the rights of every disadvantaged group and cause on earth. They were at the forefront of the civil rights movement. They stood strong with LGBTQ and its offshoots. They were big believers in #Metoo. They pushed against Donald Trump and pleaded for increased Muslim immigration to America.
Israel shared its technology to improve the lives of South Africans as well as many other poorer nations. When Turkey had a devastating earthquake, Israel sent teams to help dig for survivors.
What did we get in return for our kindness? Hate. The LGBTQ movement stands firm with the Palestinians against Israel – even though none of them would last a day in any Palestinian territory. #Metoo suddenly lost its tongue when it came to speaking up for the ravaged women of Israel on October 7. The liberal colleges have been the source for the wellspring of hatred against Israel, which view the Jewish State as the oppressor, fitting in neatly to their mindless narrative. Black Lives Matter and many other notable African American leaders have been exposed as vile anti-Semites. At best, its leadership is silent. South Africa is the first country to announce its intention to bring up Israel on charges of genocide. Turkey has turned rabidly anti-Israel. Anybody with a bit of brains should have seen this coming. Until now, Jews could not help themselves. They were ideologically married to the religion of liberalism. I wonder if the kick in the teeth we are receiving from the Left will cure them from their fantasy. I doubt it.
The Left is the same worldwide. We witness with trepidation the endless stream of pro-Palestinian protests disrupting every conceivable event, thoroughfare, and airport with impunity. The Left in Israel did the same. Every single corner and major thoroughfare, including the approach to Ben Gurion Airport, was a venue for the endless protests for their unworthy cause. It is rumored that both here and in Israel, the protests are funded by some anarchist group, very likely George Soros at the bottom of both.
Two-State Solution. The Two-State Solution was and continues to be the messiah for the Israeli Left and its doctrine a must in the political world. It has come to a sudden death. If the Arabs did not make that clear till now with their rejection of generous deals by a stream of Israeli prime ministers, it was laid bare for all to see with the onslaught of Hamas and their supporters throughout “Palestinian”-controlled areas. Only the most incorrigible stalwarts of that belief will remain true to that huge mistake.
The Agudah World. As I have previously stated, the Agudah and its world must begin to add respected rabbanim to their list of Torah leaders. Not just roshei yeshivah. The rabbanim are planted in the day-to-day activities of the world, which is vital. It should be noted that Baltimore’s most respected rabbanim encouraged and indeed attended the mass gathering in Washington. Without going into further detail, I received a written response from a major spiritual leader of the Agudah, which served to corroborate my position. If the Agudah does not change its policies, they will further expand the gap between the organization and its constituency. It will continue to bring chagrin to those who would love to adhere to daas Torah.
At a recent gathering on behalf of the hostages, in the Bnei Brak cemetery containing the remains of Torah giants such as the Chazon Ish and the Steipler, one of the speakers, Rav Baruch Rosenblum, powerfully made the point that we have no connections to Qatar or Egypt. But we do have a connection to Hashem. Let’s use it to the fullest.
Hopefully, if we remain unified and vigilant in Torah, chesed, u’mitzvos, our prayers will be heard and fulfilled.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
