Feature Tidbit Lingering Thoughts Pesach wasn't that long ago, and we've already put behind us for this year, Yom HaSho'a, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzma'ut. Those dates seem to fly at us at supersonic speed, and before you know it, they're history. It is sad that one's thoughts on and about these days are split between the meaning of the days themselves and the dichotomy within the religious community concerning the "validity" of these days. From the perspective of one who believes that the State of Israel is "the beginning of the flowering of our redemption", andthat the establishment of the State is cause to thank G-d with the saying of Hallel, I seem to spend a lot of time defending and apologizing for that position. That's sad. So many people don't seem to see things the way I do (thankfully, many do), does that mean that I should doubt and question my own beliefs and feelings? I think not. I am completely of the view that smoking is against halacha. The sight of rabbis and yeshiva people smoking has not weakened that conviction. It just saddens me to see people who should know better, smoke. Similarly, every Jew who does not say Hallel on Yom HaAtzma'ut saddens me. This goes for the non-religious Jew who doesn't appreciate the commitment to Torah and mitzvot in many areas, as well as the observant Jew who doesn't see how and why that commitmentshould apply in certain areas. There are different types of blindnesses. May the Pokei'ach Ivrim open the eyes of all Jews to the whole range of truths. Last week's lead tidbit was truncated by lack of space. The email version of TT had an ending. I guess that the point of that piece is what I've been saying until now. There are many things in the make-up of the State of Israel that should be appreciated, and in an appropriate manner. At the same time, there must be a realizationthat there is plenty more ahead of us to pray for and work towards. One need not see a celebration of the State as detracting or derailing us from the anticipation of the Complete Geula and all that goes with it. One more thought: standing silently during a siren is not a deviation from prayer and learning - it gives you a chance to put things into perspective. [The Acharei-K'doshim Homepage] |
