PLUS CA CHANGE

 Plus c'est la meme chose. In English, the more things change (supposedly) the more things remain the same, the more likely to have the same choices rather than anything new. Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) says the same thing via its well-known verse - Hakol hevel havalim". Everything is like a vapor which dissipates, of no account, bottom line. The same book, in chapter one, verse 9 states: what has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sky(sun)."

A grim pronouncement for humanity, evidently confined to a never-ending cycle of the same old, the same old. Combine that with the first paragraph and there is now a grim forecast for humanity. Kind of like the summer forecast for Florida - sunny, hot, chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Day after day, for months, sporadically broken by forecasts of uh-oh, something is developing out there.

Hate to say it, but take a look around, examine the world and tell me things are different.

“Happy Mother’s Day to ALL, in particular the Mothers, Wives and Lovers of the Radical Left Fascists, Marxists, and Communists who are doing everything within their power to destroy and obliterate our once great Country,” Trump wrote. “Please make these complete Lunatics and Maniacs Kinder, Gentler, Softer and, most importantly, Smarter, so that we can, quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

These are the words of a demented man running for the third time for president, a failure, as his attempted coup was defeated. Why is this man still in the running? Why are there people who remain loyal even as they now admit his egregious violations of morality and try to downplay the armed rebellion he instigated and encouraged and was barely prevented from attending in person. The damage already done can possibly remain with us for a long, long time, yet - deja vu. Unfortunately.

 Open violation of the integrity of Ukraine, a war entered into the second year. A nation reduced to rubble and the huge loss of citizens, military and civilian. As the nations of the West play proxy war, delivering arms and ammunition, whining about the monetary cost, but has anyone done what is necessary - encourage the Russians to depose their imitation tsar - no. Hence, the war goes on, war crimes are open and many, yet the war goes on. And on. And on. It will never end until both sides run out of people to kill. But Ukraine must defend itself.  Definitely, but how sad. Remember and apply the verses at the beginning of this post to the situation - and see their truth.

Israel is attacked with over 1,500 rockets and in return targets the leaders of this attack in pinpoint aim. And as squads were on their way to the border for vicious attacks to civilian areas of Israel. The outcome - death for them and for two Palestinian workers from Gaza with permits to work in Israel. Oh, good job!! Indeed, but never you mind says the press. Civilian deaths of families of the terrorist leaders are on them as they purposely place their headquarters in their domiciles and then cry foul when families are killed - all the better to blame Israel when the problem is a cold calculation as to how to get good press for them and bad press for Israel. So why not; there are always other fish in the sea and children to be born and sacrificed - all in the name of their "holy" quest to rid Israel of its Jewish population and replace them with their own. Openly stated in their documents. I refer you back to those verses.

 Masked White power group, Patriot Front, with flags and drums, marches at night in Washington carrying signs reading "reclaim America". Seems to me I have seen this before, though in a larger performance. But evidently the kernel remains alive, even as legislatures out of touch with populace bans medical choices, ostracizes groups of people, censor books, interfere with education, shred the right to vote, march in semi-uniform and claim assault weapons are their right and never you mind the mass shootings.

Return to first paragraph.

What I have seen, very different, very impressive are the efforts of well-known singers from the Jewish world take the time out to send videos to Yitzy. They talk to Yitzy, sing songs to and for him and give him encouragement, to fight the cancer. To win the battle.   

That is a perfect example that things can change and for the better. Note, that Yitzy, very quietly, was able to fulfill his role in the bar mitzvah rite.

 This is an example of what working together can do.

Our choices. Our fates. Together.

Together - Together we can achieve it all. 

Together we can

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu. 

May he be granted a timely and complete healing.

May Hashem hear all our voices raised in prayer. 

Amen. Amen.