BECAUSE

  Ever since this past Saturday morning, when we were awakened by a rude noise, neither of us has slept a deep sleep. Through the days and nights that have followed, the noise repeated itself. Signaling a warning to the people of Israel that yet more rockets and missiles were coming their way. Hence, into safety, into the secure room, and stay until told it was safe to leave. At least for a time, a brief time. 

Through the days and nights, when the alarm went off, we knew that somewhere in Israel our friends, our family, were in danger. Even as we worried about them, about the nation, about our home there, we felt pangs of guilt. We were here, relatively safe in this dangerous world of ours, but they were most definitely in harm's way, and I could do nothing to change that. They were the ones who would absorb the consequences of baseless hate, of evil unable to be plumbed to a bottom, so deep and entrenched is it.  

We know that these deranged haters, people who follow the Ayatollah, may his name forever be erased from history, and the evil adherents of Hezbollah are getting what is coming to them.  Both have gotten and are getting more of what they have so clearly asked for. But in the meanwhile, lives of people under siege are vastly and quickly undergoing massive changes. 

No fault of their own, but the challenge is there. How does one live ordinarily in unordinary times? Can we leave the house for shopping? What about the kids? How do we keep them whole and as unaware as possible? How do we live now and for how long will this intolerable situation continue? Most of all, we worry about our loved ones called up once again to serve the nation, to defend it from her enemies.  Are they safe? When will they come home?  

The pressure remains, grows and intensifies, yet the situation must be tolerated for there is no other path forward. At least until we finish with the enemies who have never learned and accepted the facts as they are and the history that backs up those facts. That the people of Israel have returned home to stay. Period.  

What about today? It is Purim. A fast forward from the original Purim to today. When the very same country of today, Persia, became entangled within the evil machinations of a JewHater, that the Jewish people within his empire must be killed. They posed a danger to the emperor and must be eliminated. He fell into the evil words of Haman and great peril now awaited the Jews within the land. 

Only via the courage and understanding of Mordechai and Esther, knowing of their responsibility, knowing that they too were Jews, and would share in the fate of all other Jews, and their faith in the Lord, was the tragedy averted.     Tears turned to rejoicing and celebration of rescue, of permission to defend themselves, and from then on, rather than a day of tears, it is a day of rejoicing and sharing gifts with others.    

And the Jews of Persia fought back, just as the Jews of today, back in their homeland again, fight for their right to have a state of their own, a place   providing a haven for all Jews in need of such. A nation which has contributed much to benefit the world at large.  

Today, we do not worry about fighting back. We are always at the ready to defend our homes and families, our nation. On the land, on the air, on the sea. In the offices of nations round the world. Wherever enemies are found, we remember and we speak out against this baseless hate of centuries. We remember the wars inflicted upon us and we are ready to do what we must to defend ourselves in our own times. Always, to remember.  And so, we do, no matter where our scattered people reside.  The needless hate. Evil machinations that went on. All in service to Evil. And we remember: how we were saved, the courage it took, and the gratitude we owed, always owe to the Lord. Thus, we celebrate, remembering bad and the good. All the people of the Jewish nation, of Am Yisroel.  

Then, inevitably, the question arises. Why is there so much hate? Why so much anti-Semitism? Why are there people who salivate at the thought of wreaking harm and havoc upon Jewish people? Of destroying their infrastructure. Of killing them wherever they stand. Man, woman and child. It makes no matter to them. The answer is "because".  

 Because there is no reason. There's no earthly reason, nor heavenly reason, for that matter for this hatred to continue. Since time immemorial murderous campaigns against us took place.  against the very people who did well for the lands in which they resided and received only smacks for thanks.  Many reasons and underlying causes have been offered. Tomes have been written trying to explain anti Semitism. But that is all a cop out. For there is no reason. It is simply 'because'.  

Evil, vicious hatred, has a self-perpetuating life. But there is no justification for it. There is no justification for anti Semitism. There was no justification for hatred. It is only 'because'.     Hatred should not exist. If we stopped hating each other, we would not have to answer questions of why it was, 'because' and stop. because there is no answer. Because there is no need, no right to demand an answer. Certainly, the targets of this baseless Hate should not be asked the question as to justify why people hate them. There is no rhyme or reason to Hate. There is no rhyme or reason other. than the lust for bloodshed that seems to live within mankind. 

Somewhere, somehow, within a lifetime things become twisted in mind and soul. This perversion of soul causes mankind to turn to constant state of war, to a thirst for bloodshed. We cast aspersions on those we deem different from us and then step it up to welcome that which is always waiting to enter onstage - the perpetrators and perpetuators of war, in full blown ugliness. We justify it by magnifying differences. of actual nonimportance and even manufacture differences if we must. And for what?  Why?

 Because. 

In fact, I think the only place from where you'll get an answer to that why, that contains any sense will be from the Lord Above. Frankly. I am not even sure of that, so confusing is that confounded and accursed need to hate which resides in mankind.  

So even as the festivities of the day go on, there is a taint to it as the darkness of present-day warfare continues. With Hate front and center, alive and unfortunately well. This year we celebrate Purim in shelters. Why and why and why?  

And again - Because.  

 I am tired. So very tired. Physically tired. Because I'm entitled to be tired at my age! But also, tired because I have not slept well, even tonight, with no alerts, but the mind continued to remain alert for them. Toss and turn and stare at the clock.  

I am also tired within my soul. Is there ever going to be an end of this baseless hatred? Not only of the Jewish people, but of all people. It seems nigh unto impossible. I do not think there is more than a token number of those who do not hang on to some Hate within their heart. Why is this the case??   

Because.  

So it has been yesterday. 

So it has continued until today. 

Please let us extinguish it before our tomorrow arrives.

A happy Purim to all. May we know only good and may evil disappear from this earth and from the hearts and souls of humanity.