And so, to continue the saga, to help one and all understand who the Jews are, what makes up our substance, what drives us, what is important to us and why is that so - to understand all that you have to take a step back from yesterday's posting. Only then can one begin to understand what those answers are and why.
We must return to the time of the Romans, the people who destroyed our second Temple, who exiled us from our homeland, who mistakenly thought they had for once and for all defeated that pesky little nation state and the people within who held off that Empire for years. Their greatest treasures were taken by Rome, and some remain allegedly within the depths of the Vatican. Much of the population were led off into slavery, yet many remained, The simpler people, the ones who did not cause fear to Romans for they had no power, no wealth, no possibility of rebellion and would probably be destroyed by the harsh conditions of their land.
Foolish thinking, and history has proven so, that, despite all the oppression and persecution and bias and repression and suppression, the Judeans remaining in their conquered land remained for centuries, were joined by others, welcomed those who throughout the millennia made religious journeys to their Holy Land. The Jews scattered around the world in Diaspora, Galut, determined to survive and not merely barely, but to build families, communities, to remain true to their faith, their G-d, to trust in His Promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to all their descendants - a homeland of their own, in perpetuity. All the while they struggled to live, even prosper, a very difficult thing to do within the strictures placed upon those of Jewish origin, but they did. Invited in by rulers who knew that Jews increased the profitability of any nation in which they resided, who lent the ruling authorities gold coin, these same rulers refused to repay and exiled the very same ones who had saved them in time of need. France, England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and on and on, throughout the centuries, it mattered not. Used as practice targets for swords during the Crusades or burned at stakes as heretics or in the Tower of York in England, or accused of treachery as was Dreyfus, or accused of blood libel, as were many, including Mendel Beilis, accused of economic malfeasance and lack of morality, as depraved less than human creatures, and finally, the most powerful attempt to totally extinguish their light via the Holocaust.
Ironic, as Jews were the ones who introduced a system based on morality and truth, who elevated the necessity to chase justice, vigorously, to aid the needy and the poor, to welcome the stranger in the midst, who defined the traits of a good ruler, who set up a system of justice complete with compassion and responsibility. Even when exiled from a land into which they been invited, their invitations rescinded or made null and void, and restrictions placed again upon them - forbidden to own land, to follow certain professions, survive we did, and many times were able to educate the children as well. If the world has any complaints about why it is that they were known for lending money to kings and rulers, it is because that was the only profession in many countries they were allowed to pursue.
When able to, the Jewish people sought better places. Made their our way to nations where citizenship was granted, where efforts and industry were appreciated. Hard work, educating the children, and contribution to the nation. However, all the while, loyal to adopted nations and serving in their armed forces, always there was a chill down the spine, a hunching of shoulders in tension as to when the next axe would fall, for so history has taught us. Nasty remarks, employment and education quotas - it took decades and decades to erode, to overcome this and we now see that those moments, those experiences of unease, are there, remaining directed at us, for us. Simply take a look around and see what we see, hear what we hear. Know what we know
Back to the Romans. Contrary to their thinking, the Jewish people remained attached to their homeland. No matter where they were in the diaspora their prayers were in the direction of that homeland Wishes to return remained for the millennia. Many returned from the barren threatening lands of Europe and turned to rebuilding their homeland where they could work hard and prosper and where they could follow injunctions to defend themselves against those who would refuse their homeland to them, to fight within the rules of God but to know that fight for survival was of utmost importance. a ninthenameof survival.
Unfortunately, the armed forces of Israel have Been held to a double standard fight but do not wound or kill anyone No destruction of any property or infrastructure no matter what is being hidden inside or beneath support the "civilians” of the enemy and never mind the fact that many are not so. No collateral damage at all allowed despite the fact that most of the fighters are embedded among their own civilians. The responsibility for their deaths falls upon the shoulders of those who enable that zone of safety.
Throughout history. We have often been warred upon but have laid down roots, shoulders to the wheel, noses to the grindstone and worked hard, and took care of their own and always followed a dream where they would be free, respected. Time and time again the Jewish nation pulled themselves up, stood straight and tall, with faith in their Lord, that the promise would be kept. To be returned to that homeland, to live within, to build it up, to defend it, and to be free from hate and violence. For millennia we waited, patient but determined and we made the land of desert and swamp into a thriving nation replete with contributions to the world, even as it took in the persecuted Jews from nations round the world, as Jews of all nations returned home. A homeland as all other nations desired and had or fought for.
Through all the millennia the Jewish people have learned that there was no one better than themselves to themselves There is no one else who will fight to the last rock left to throw at the enemy? Other than themselves there is no one better to build their pride, to know that they are the descendants of brave and determined people and will be true to their heritage. and their responsibility to defend themselves, to be responsible for themselves no matter how hard, no matter how long.
Now, 2025 almost two years exactly from the heinous massacre of women, of children, of mass rape, of starvation, a revival of Holocaust conditions with hostages still remaining barely hanging on, with all our offers, with all our righteous demands, Hamas plays dangerous games even as the world revives the oldest hate - JewHatred.
Even as we approach that two-year anniversary, we will remain strong and we will remember who we are: one nation, one people. No matter how much arguing, how much we air our disagreements to others we are one.
We are Amcha - your nation, my nation.
The password of recognition during the Holocaust.
Today we all need to remember Amcha.
The yesterdays and todays unfortunately have begun to resemble each other. But we will refuse to allow that to shatter the optimism of our tomorrows.
Read the history of which I have omitted much. It tells the truth.
Please note there will be no posting tomorrow, as flight again. I will return on Wednesday.
Stay safe, stay true.
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