Lead Tidbit
Even Now? Especially Now!
Have you heard anyone say: With what's going on in this country (the PM's disengagement plan and more), I'm not going to say Hallel on Yom HaAtzmaut this year. How about - we're not going to say T'fila Lishlom HaMedina (the Prayer for the State of Israel) anymore. It's been said and it is as vexing and disturbing as it is very difficult to understand.

When more do we need to ask for G-d's protection and for Him to send His Light and His Truth to this country's leaders, ministers, and advisors? When more do we have to ask G-d to bring Jews from all over the world to our G-d given Land and to imbue in all of us - new Olim, Old time Olim, and native Israelis, love of G-d, unity of heart, commitment to Torah and Mitzvot? When more than now do we ask for Him to send the Mashiach and the Complete Redemption. That's what we ask for in the Prayer for the State. Why would anyone who loves this Land and its People... and, yes, the State, suggest withholding the T'fila Lishlom HaMedina?

And why would anyone who has thanked G-d for years for the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz Yisrael after so many long years and generations of Exile and of foreign rule over this Land, think of stopping now that they are disenchanted (to say the least) with what is being planned?

The declaration of the State included the opening of the doors to Eretz Yisrael to all Jews who want to come and live in the Homeland promised to our ancestors for their descendants for all generations. For this alone, G-d should have our eternal gratitude. There is more Torah learned today in the State of Israel than anywhere else in the world at any time since we became a nation. We have so much to thank Him for and so much to ask of Him as well. And we must work hard to make things better, to hasten the Geula.