YES, BUT ...

  Yesterday. As most of us do every morning, as we stumble around or energetically prepare for the day to come, we listen to the news. In whichever way we desire. Yesterday morning, happening all too often these days, we heard shouts and excited voices. Automatically, we turned to raise the volume and to listen.

What we heard yesterday morning. was what we have been hearing far too often these days. It is something that for many, many years we hoped. was, if not gone, at least tamped down, to be at least semi rare, occasionally, but never to grow. Never to become once again a monster ready to consume the world? Ready to use the acid of its Hate to destroy, destroy and more.

What is one to say when with a backwards look, a current look, and a truly frightening look into the future, all appear to be the same. No change. Hate. From generations past. Horrific intentions of the fascist movement and communist movement as well. Just about one hundred years ago there was an almost successful attempt to totally exterminate all Jews round the world.   

Look back nearly 80 years ago to the recognition of the State of Israel. Though it was a dismembered State, millennia had gone by before even this minimal step took place and at least a partial truth was recognized as such. Nor was it to be considered as a gift as so many claim it to be these days and wish to cancel that "gift giving". Is the papal seat, the Vatican, in the midst of the city of Rome considered a gift go the Catholic religion? Are the several dozen Muslim states considered as a gift to the Islamic religion? Is Holland a gift to te Protestant religion? Is there a nation considered to be a gift to those who are atheists? Or agnostics?

 So why then should a Jewish state be considered a gift to the Jews? And nondemocratic due to its "gifthood". Even deemed, most illogically, a state which practices genocide! When the very people against whom genocide is claimed are prospering, doing well and are an integral part of the nation, from government to the people on the street. Why accuse a nation who has experienced the worst of genocide of committing a scientifically planned determined extermination on a group of people when it is so evidently not true, so criminal. A lie put forth by Haters who have never given up their Hate, merely ramped it up to the likes of Oct7.

Why is it when that nation is attacked, when the people whose state it is, are targeted there and throughout the world, why, why, are there people who join in with Glee. With words of Hate and incitement to violence itself, up to and including murder. Slaughter. Of men, women and children, babies, elderly. It matters not to these Haters. I ask again, why is it that the more volent the attack, the more frequent the attacks, WE get just that. More violence. More attacks. And on and on, a vicious cycle that never seems to have an end of an out.

And yet. despite the awful attack at Bondi Beach. in Sydney, Australia, considered to be among the Western nations, among the more. civilized and tolerant, there it was. Why were Jews in the USA attacked the same days, in a Jewish professor's class at Brown, and directed at a house of Jewish decoration in LA?? No answer forthcoming to explain this away other than ever ongoing Hate.

 The Jews around the world - what did they do? do? It was the first night of Hanukkah. The Holiday of Light. The light that chases away the darkness. The light that illuminates the darkest corners of humanity? And provides the light for humanity to move forward. To see into the dark. To make it disappear. And to rescue those who remain in the dark.

What did they do? They did exactly what we have been doing since the beginning of time. Since the first steps of Abraham into the world as a Jew. We have stood up against terror. We have stood up against those who are determined to exterminate us. We have done whatever we must. And we'll continue to do so. Those who claim they are stronger than us and will beat us down think again. We are people of courage and determination. We are the people of stiff neck snd stubbornness.    Reinforced with the open hands and arms and heart of the strongest protector in the world. The Lord Above. Who has been with us for lo these many millennia. Wo will not leave us.

So, what did we do? Almost every single Jewish organization that I can think of, other than the organizations of Jews who have turned against their fellow brothers and sisters, and supported those who wished to kill us and them as well. other than these suicidal Jews who do not realize that nor not accept the truth, what did we do? We sent out emails and calls. We announced proudly that the community lighting of the menorahs, those taking place in community celebrations in defiance of those who wish to crush us eill take place. And indeed, took place. And will always take place. Whatever the hell is the celebration, be it in community celebrations or in the homes.   T

They will all continue. Always and forever/

So, to the beasts, all members of the same monster tribe, be you born into it or join it in your sick evil. give it up. You have lost already. You will not defeat us. Rather, we will defeat you. Though we would rather live in peace and partnership. in unity, and brotherhood. Just as we admire that brave Muslim soul who stood up and ran and jumped on one of the animal's backs. wrestled the gun out of his hands. chasing him off.  

We ask why Australia did not pay attention to the warning of a planned attack on the Jewish community. How many more times must Israel uncover and reveal a planned attack only to be ignored? Only to see people die once again. Why?   

And as for all the hypocrites here in America. In Australia. In any country where these attacks have taken place. Or have been praised. You were all guilty. Stained and tainted. The same indelible ink of  JewHatred. Bottom line, all your words of sympathy mean nothing now. Nothing unless you act upon them. Don't tell me it's horrible, I already know that. Don't tell me it is awful and must not take place. Because you allow it to take place, you've encouraged it to take place by not imposing consequences. And by not out loud and strongly condemning those who perpetrated it upon us?  

You will never succeed. Read the following. Understand that we will never cease to light up the world. We will never cease to fight against the darkness. And those who oppose us will get their just consequences, all who veer off the path of righteousness. All.

Here is a letter written by a young Rabbi to his constituents. On the eve of Hanukah as to the public lighting of the menorah of the community. I have included no names. Simply the letter.

Dear Family,

I write to you with a heavy heart this morning.

Many of us woke up to the horrifying news of the antisemitic terror attack in Australia.

This attack again reminds us that antisemitism

is not a phenomenon of the past, or a distant memory, but a living threat.

As we know, Kol Yisrael avrevim zeh bazeh, we are one people and one nation, and an attack on any of us affects all of us.

We will be joining with other area synagogues for a Menorah lighting this evening, where we will both celebrate the holiday of Chanukah and mourn our fallen brothers and sisters. I encourage everyone to join us, and to add to their performance of mitzvot and engagement in prayer in response to these events.

As the Alter Rebbe of Lubavtich said “A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness.” Each action we take, each candle we light, pushes away the darkness of the world in this difficult time.

May Hashem avenge the blood of the innocent victims, bring comfort to their families, and protect the Jewish people wherever they may be around the world.

May we know no more sorrow.

With pain and hope,

Rabbi

YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMMOROW 

ENOUGH!