IT'S STILL BURNING

 No, I am not referring to the unfortunate number of forest fires, though I am sure somewhere, there is yet another. The burning I am referring to is that of the many huge bonfires that Jewish kids made last night in commemoration of a holiday Lag B'Omer , a time of respite during a desperate situation - as usual. However, that commonality of desperation and rescue reminds all that Jewish people are here despite all that has been thrown at us. Despite all the attempts to wipe us out, we are here. Here we will stay. Here we will succeed. Here we belong. As do the bonfires. 

This morning most are still afire, lighting up the area around, lighting up the eyes of kids whose parents bring them there to see the success of the bonfires, their longevity. A symbolic presentation to the world that we, the Jewish nation, also have a record of longevity, no matter the attempts to defeat that historical truth. No matter the many attempts. and plans to burn us out figuratively and literally, here we are, alive and well, contributing to the world way above our punching weight. 

Here we are, united and in many cases, that growing unity is a result of hatred and ostracism, of brutality and violence directed against us. It reminds those who wish to forget their connection to Judaism, to the Jewish nation, of another burning, that of the constant spark within always reminding us that we belong to the Jewish nation whether we want to or not, whether we attempt to renounce it or not. For always, we are part of the people and always within that little bit of a spark is the presence of G-d and faith in the promise He made to us, a promise kept in 1275 BCE when we were given our land, to hold, keep and cherish and defend and always to return to for all eternity.          

There is a burning of another sort, a burning of a yearning recently awakened in hearts and minds of our young, particularly with our high school and college kids and young adults. It is well known that when things are bad for the Jews, when they are made to feel unwelcome and worse, it then becomes good for the Jews in the sense that we forget our disagreements, our clashes. We look upon each other and know we are all brothers and sisters together. Either we stand together, or we will hang separately. We have had to learn and relearn that message many, many times.  

Our young are thirsty for knowledge/ Our desires of finding neglected roots and rejuvenating them draw in older Jews who once had roots when they were kids but who also neglected them for far too long. It was a yearning to shield oneself from the heat of the fire of hate, of Anti Semitism, its persistence. Confirmed by researchers we begin to fulfill the prophecy that the children of Israel will return to the people of Israel.  Those seeking refreshed religion, see it with clearer eyes, eager to participate and live with it, within its rituals and yes, it's fun and reassurance as well. For millennia we have survived, and many times thrived. Why not again? Why not now?          

Kids on college campuses today are flocking, not only to Hillel Centers, but also Chabad Houses on or near college campuses. They are comfortable. They can reattach to their religion and obtain the knowledge they need. They will learn and appreciate its stability and benefit from it.  They find a haven within those homes, a relief from antagonistic protests and catcalls, the fear of violence, the tension of being a Jew among JewHaters. Here, politics is left at the door, for there are many other places for that.  Older Jews also are beginning to return, following their young and finding their roots refreshed, as are their lives, both inner and outer.

This is a time of great unease among American Jews. They are now feeling a separateness imposed upon them. They are advised by some to hide their Jewishness, but that is contrary to what they must do. That will simply reinforce their separateness. Far better to get out there, front and center. Wear your T shirts, wear hostage jewelry. Sing your songs and walk the streets proud and straight and tall and courageous, knowing that it is good to be a Jew.

 Nobody can take that away, no matter how hard they try. Jews over the millennia have known that and have resisted promises of safety for conversion, promises of safety, if they make themselves useful. Promises, empty promises and much danger and violence and death awaiting. Through the millennia, they have also kept the promise made to them. In 1275 BCE, approximately, we were given the land of Israel. In 2025 AD that truth continues, and we will defend it and assert it until the end of days.

It is incumbent upon us to walk head up and proud. 

For The Pride we have of our yesterdays. 

For the Faith that we can repair the woes of our todays. 

For the knowledge, the certainty that we can walk proud and know we can reinforce the optimism and positivity of our tomorrows.

There is no other way. There will never be another way. There will never be another time when we will be unprepared and unequipped and not ready to fight for our lives and our rights.

There is great meaning and an incentive to be had from that too oft trivialized phrase.   

Never again.

It is engraved in every molecule within our being, enshrined in our hearts and minds. It is with us even as we know the Lord is with us.  Those who oppose, deny that truth, have only the Devil, the hate and the false words which contaminate their souls. 

Ani Yehudi. 

I am a Jew.

That is a gift to be treasured.