A PLEA

   Today, as we prepare to join family and friends in celebrating the Jewish New Year and spend much time in prayer and contemplation as to where we are in this troubled and besieged world of ours, we all must stop and think. 

We must stop mouthing false words of regret or penitence and actually dig deep down within us, within ourselves. Question ourselves in sharp interrogation, press hard for answers. What are we doing here? What have we made of this earth of ours? And why have we insured that the future will bring only more of the same, or worse, unless we shake ourselves hard and long? Engage in deep meditation as to where and how and why we all went wrong. We must wonder at ourselves. Why do we insist on wallowing in fetid waters of hate and violence rife with the rank contamination that mankind has gathered unto itself over these millennia.    

As children sharing a bedroom, this is their space. They have to learn not to divide and conquer, not even to divide and share, but leave out the division and understand that if half the room is messy so too is the other half. If we rape the resources of half the world and demean and wage war against   populations of the world simply because we have a mean streak within that demands us, urges us to do so, does not mean we must indulge it. If we feel we must dominate some other beings in order to feel better about ourselves, perhaps we had better take a more introspective look and check our value systems. If we contaminate part of the world, we are contaminating all of this small orb in a vast universe, the one granted or lent to us by G-d, to celebrate His gifts to us and to walk in the path of the Righteous. At present we have maintained an abysmal record in that sphere.    

In doing research for another project, I returned somewhat to the days and years of school. I can remember the teachers talking to us, pointing out the time and time again we have been warned by hashem and those who spoke for Him on this earth, to shape up, to shake ourselves out and return to the path of the righteous. To at least attempt to improve and to remember that our job description for this planet, this life, is not only to take care of ourselves but to take care of others, to help others who cannot help themselves. Young, careless, almost carefree as we were, we didn't always pay attention. Now we must.

I am sure that at this point in time our Father in the heavens is shaking His head in despair. He wonders how many more times He must grant us time for repentance. How many more times must He say one more chance? How many more times must we be reminded of His power and His patience? When is it time to call a halt to His forbearance and act as a Father who must punish the child if order to prevent even worse?  When is enough, enough? When is it the proper time, more than past that time, to stop cease pleading with them to end this most harmful pathway through life they have chosen?   

But always, though, even in the midst of the most awful frightening to the marrow of one's bones warnings and predictions of what awaits, He holds out HIs hand to us, reminding all that there still is time remaining, albeit running short.  But still, waiting for His Children to listen and hear, to hear and listen. The order makes no difference bottom line, only the truly opening of the heart and soul matters. Not only our ears, but also to the depths of our conscience. 

Then, only then, might we have a chance to turn the world around. Over the next days during which we fully own up to all that we have done wrong, and meaningfully repent, and think, generate new, solid, productive paths for a way forward.

I wish all the world, not only me and mine and my people, but all the people of the world to think about where we are at present. Think what we have done with all yesterdays. Think about the responsibilities we have for all the todays we live in, so confused, so stressful. Then finally, think about the future, the tomorrows we have before us unless ......

 Shanah Tova Oohmetuka.

May we all be blessed with a sweet and good year.

Replete with health and wisdom, with peace and love - or at least a tolerance which allows for us to find, create that most difficult way forward, to a better world for all our tomorrows. 

May we see the return of all our  Chatufim, our kidnapped, languishing in the Hell of Hamas. To be returned to life once again, and for those deceased during captivity, slaughtered, may they be honored as martyrs, dying al Kiddush Hashem, in the name of the Most Holy joining the long ranks of those gone before them. May we see no more of such. 

Chag Sameach - will be back Friday, G-d willing.