Behaalotekha: Where is there hope?

By Rabbi Yehiel Grenimann on June 13, 2008 - י' סיון תשס"ח

In the selection (Haftorah “Shout for joy, fair Zion!”) from the prophets read this week after the Torah reading we read a portion from Zecharia. He speaks of the return of the people of Israel to Zion and also of the return of the Divine Presence (the Shekhina) in their midst in the city of Zion.

About this return he says:

“In that day many nations (“goyim”) will attach themselves to the Lord and become His people and I will dwell in your midst” (2,15)

And also:

“In that day – declares the Lord of Hosts – you will be inviting each other to the shade of the vines and the fig trees” (3,10)

and finally:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit (cf. Isa. 11.2 ff.) – said the Lord of Hosts”

These verses speak of a reality which is unfortunately very from fruition even today. The vision is of a nation spreading light (theme of the Torah reading also) to the world, a people who, having known slavery and exile, treat those joining them from the gentile nations and living amongst them with brotherhood and kindness.

This is not the case when we hear of what happened near Susiya this week, where settlers attacked farmers working their land, causing serious injury to one older woman with a metal bar.

This is not so when once again three homes were destroyed in East Jerusalem this week.

This is not seen in our society when conversions are revoked and not recognized effecting generations of people who have come to dwell in our midst and integrate into our society.

This is not the case when an Israeli rabbi permits building on Shabbat by non-Jewish workers of a Jewish contractor in order to expand a settlement on private Palestinian land before the Supreme Court renders a ruling.

And where is there hope in all this?

With those who are willing to speak out and act, for instance those who are willing to come out to support the cause of the residents of Silwan against the settler organization Elad, which is using archeological digs for its ultra right-wing purposes and causing damage to private homes..

With those who are hospitable to and respect the non-Jews in our midst, and are welcoming to those who join our people and share our destiny as converts to Judaism.

Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in Behaalotekha

Behaalotekha: Where is there hope? - June 13th, 2008
Dvar Torah – B’Haalotkha - July 8th, 2007
Beha'alotekha: Critical mass and individual responsibility - June 16th, 2005

Categories: Behaalotekha
Tags: Bo, court, human rights, ISM, order, palestinians, settlers