Much of Jewish tradition and history, is reliant upon rhythms, good and bad. The eternal face of hatred rears its ugliness again and again, generally either a ramping up of blatant Jew hatred, taking it up a level or explodes in yet another place once considered a "good place". Perhaps even as close as yesterday, it was so, a place of opportunity and welcome. A place of security and safety. A place where there was confident optimism for, of, the future. That meant Jews were able to live, to raise a family, to work in all fields of endeavor, to contribute to culture, to the arts, to research, to attend universities, and participate in the government of that nation. Until it was no more. And it was ugly.
Always, though, there was the other part of that cycle - survival. A return to success, a finding of a place of sanctuary and promise of a future. A place where Jews could live and thrive. After the end of WWII America led the way, though too little and quite a bit too late, and Jews were thriving throughout the democratic world. Always an undercurrent of antisemitism, yet quiet enough not to be a major impediment to a "good time" for Jews. Such was the time we were living in, now, where we thought life was a definite, where we were integrated within the structure of the nation without issue, even with acceptance. Where we could breathe freely, with confidence. And the circle continued on its inevitable path.
There began once again a gathering of a herd of elephants in the room, too many to ignore any longer, directly in our faces. Furthermore, that herd gathering was almost instantaneous, yet no one, none of those oh so smart analysts of society noticed the synchronization of attacks upon Jews, upon Israel, the offensive, dangerous, existential threats of a chant calling for genocide to be waged once again on Jews. Or they noticed and were implicit, explicit or complicit - choose your option, for at the end of it all, it is the same difference. Once again, the cycle turned sour. Once again Jews became the favorite target of a burgeoning hatred and a growing acceptance of harassment of Jews, emotional and physical. A true growth industry.
A brutal wake up call to all Jews and advocates of fair play, of justice, of truth, a reminder to all that once again "it is broke and once again, we apparently cannot fix it. Where is everybody? On which line do they stand? What are they chanting? From whom are they demanding a ceasefire along with impossible conditions? Why are the violated, the aggrieved demanded to surrender, to admit war crimes that never happened? Of no existence? Other than the ones they committed themselves, upon Israelis and their own.
Why are all demanding of Israel to release the hostages!!! They do not have them even as soldiers are dying in the efforts to find them, to rescue them, to return them to their homes and families. Watch, listen closely, to the voices of a thousand musicians and singers, including the families of the hostages, pleading for the return habayta - to home, home where they belong. See it on YouTube.
Where the hell are the nations of the world? Are they all deaf, dumb and blind? Who took them, killed them, raped them body and soul, debased the bodies of these martyred innocents? Tell Hamas, demand of Islamic Jihad, along with the 'innocent' civilians who have their own captives, to free them, release those who still live and the butchered whose bodies they retain and disrespect. The hostages are in their hands, kept incommunicado as the worthless complicit International Red Cross refuses to demand visitation. Not worth a sou of donation.
Israel does not hold them. They do not have them. They. Do. Not. Have. Them.
However, the world at present is stepping with vigor into a world of egregious antisemitism, of virulent Jew hatred, willingly, energetically, and ambitious. The cycle continues and where it stops or when.....
Why the title? In another part of a cycle of Judaism, we celebrate Passover, a time of release or escape from a life of slavery and brutality and declare ourselves to be a free nation. Not too many appreciated that for imagine what other slave populations would think and respond. Part of that celebration is the seder. Part of the seder is reading the Haggadah, the story of the Exodus and various commentaries, along with songs. One of these segments is one citing all the miracles of rescue, all the good things, the miracles which occurred "in the middle of the night". In the darkness of their lives, in the bleakness of their expectations, suddenly the Hand of G-d struck. Rescue, though again, a bit late.
In any case, our history is rife with middle of the night actions, so hoped for rescue. Are we not now, in an existential middle of the night situation? How about a huge lightning strike across Gaza, finding the Hamas murderers, the Islamic Jihad brutes, sparing any who are not involved? Would that not be a joyous moment!!! Resulting in a praising of the Lord as we recognize and are again grateful for His aid in our moment of need? Of His powers? However, I am beginning to doubt this rescue as I, too, remain awake staring at the ceiling, wondering what the hell is life about? Why all this horror, all at the same time? How much is one to handle? Remain sane? Is this a test, to determine if we are worthy of future aid, or are our 'lacks' too great? What? What?!!!! Explain Your thoughts and behavior to us, down here, the humans who are dependent on You right down to the bottom line. Yes, we are deficient at times, but is that not the human condition and are You not said to have the traits of mercy, of empathy, of forgiveness? Now would be a good time.
Now would be a good time to explain to me why You took Yitzy? Why remove him from a world in dire need of such as he? Why? I turn and toss in the middle of the night and in the middle of the day trying to convince myself there was a good reason for this, even if I am not up to understanding that reason - or for accepting that reason.
There is nowhere to turn in the middle of the night. I envy those who can, who can turn the switch to off and find moments of relief, of blessed not knowingness, of refuge in the dark. If I try to shunt the direction of my thoughts away, those intruding into my mind, holding it captive, and turn to happy thoughts, such as my grandchildren, it inevitably returns to the gap now present and the grief of the family.
So tell me, G-d, High and Powerful, am I, my family, Your people, not worthy of middle of the night action, for rescue from torment, from constant return of vicious hate? Are we not??
Answer me, answer all of us, so confused and in despair at the growing fear for a viable future here in America, in the nations of the world and even in embattled Israel. Answer. With an answer of hope, of optimism, of rescue.
Hugs and kisses, sweet boy. Always and forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment