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A Christian viewpoint: Rabbi Shafran is essentially right-on with his comments and his reliance on the Book is fine, but as more of his co-religionists in Israel and his Christian friends in the United States are coming to believe, perhaps a little more of the sword is needed to help God do what King David beseeched of Him.
- R. W. -0/9-/2001 |
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Perfect!
- G. F. -0/9-/2001 |
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Shfoch Hamoscha from the Haggodah are the only words which come to mind at this time.Maybe I"ll be Blessed with a greater insight into the Meaning of Chesed after the Yamim Noraim.
-0/9-/2001 |
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I wish to offer my apologies to my elder brothers in faith for the ignorance of some Americans. Americas relationship with Israel is only a small and secondary part of the Islamic hatred for Infidels of all types. They despise our position in the world and our influence in the world but in particular the Middle East. May God Bless us all.
- D. S. -0/9-/2001 |
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As a teacher of religion in a British school who has been to Auschwitz and taught Judaism to pre-university standard I feel that we all still have so much to learn from this disaster.
Having been brought up as a Catholic (now extremely lapsed) and having a Turkish wife I really do see the need for more inter communal dialogue. I realise how remiss I have been over the years in attempting to understand other world faiths such as Islam and Hinduism.
May those who carried out these awful acts be dealt with as the USA sees fit. May God and all of us hope to advice caution in seeking justice. If we are truly the 'civilised world' may our actions and not our words be the proof. And may all those out there who call themselves 'civilised' live by this example. We all have lessons to learn from this tragedy.
Final thoughts must go to the families and friends of those who died. We must also remember that we cannot possibly understand what those people are going through.
- D. L. -0/9-/2001 |
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"Some military response, to be sure, is certainly called for. But the ultimate Jewish response is not the sword but the book, not the hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob: Our rededication to our religious tradition, our re-embrace of our Torah, and our heartfelt prayers to our Creator who gave us human beings the free will to choose evil or good, and the power to beseech Him. "
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Do you mean to say that ultimately Jews should or should not be involved in a military response? Are a military response and the Kol Yaakov mutually exclusive?
KVCT & SS
Joel R.
- J. R. -0/9-/2001 |
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Can we go after and eliminate those who seek to destroy us while still seeking our creator?
- h. p. -0/9-/2001 |
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Your words of wisdom and insight are greatly appreciated. I pray that the world will finally see the evil against Israel for what it is. The lies the PA continue to tell, trying to cover the ugliness of their actions, is being brought to light. May G-d continue to bless Israel and His chosen people that they can be the true light He intended them to be. Thank you for your faithfulness. Shalom, shalom!
-0/9-/2001 |
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Rabbi Shafram always puts things in the proper perspective. I am glad to have read this piece. It has given me much comfort. Shana Tova to all.
- r. p. -0/9-/2001 |
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Thank you for the Jewish perspective. I look for a Jewish perspective whenever I do not know how to react, or even feel, about a situation. I was uplifted today at the noon prayer gathering in Idaho's capital of Boise as one of our city's main business leaders encouraged us to not turn against Israel in any way during this time. He then offered a prayer in Hebrew. While I am not Jewish, I am so thankful we have Jews, and friendships with Jews, in this country.
-0/9-/2001 |
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I am a Christian, subscribed to your publication to learn more and more, regardless of religion. I appreciate your attitude and echo your comments about Islamic extremists. It appears Most of Islam is a hate filled religion. Of course, not to paint with a broad brush, but when was the last time anything good was said about Islam outside of extremist camps? As a Christian, I pray for the peace of Israel and all of God's chosen people. We pray for you and Israel that we might all have peace. Thank you for your input.
- C. D. -0/9-/2001 |
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Thank you so much for your comments. I find them to be in complete harmony with those of Rabbi Daniel Lapin of Toward Tradition. I have been reading his words in my classes and discussing the notion that, not only must we defend ourselves (and our Jewish friends in America and Israel), but we must also look to our own moral character. May G-d's will be done.
Dr. Jay Graham
- J. G. -0/9-/2001 |
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As David prayed....protect us from wicked, violent and unreasonable men! AMEN
- D. A. -0/9-/2001 |
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So many deep, pertinent thoughts to consider. Now our allies know what it is to live with such animals to whom human life other than their coreligionists mean nothing more than an ants. May good come from this evil massacre by Rodfei Yisroel.
-0/9-/2001 |
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I want you to know that I concur with all you have said in this report and in the face of any hate directed your way I will stand with you. I too believe innocent people should not suffer, that retaliation brings more of the same, yet we must stop them, but only with G-d's help, with our country acknowledging Him, can it happen that we are successful. This country must also clean up it's act; we must be more humble land truly helpful, not just Big Uncle with full pockets pushing people around. Until we truly serve G-d first, we cannot have peace. We must all unite and plead with Him as your people did of old; ask Him to break their teeth and their plans and gentle their hearts that they too will serve Him. Thank you for listening.
- C. K. -0/9-/2001 |
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As an American I can personally tell you that Israel and the United States have a common enemy. Terrorists, otherwise known as cowards. If our President gets his way of thinking correct he will take action against any form of terrorism against Israel and the united States. I personally feel the United States should do everything in our power to stop these "cowards" from hurting or killing innocent people both here in the US and in Israel. I feel this is what God would want, to protect both of our countries. God Bless. Bill Farris
- B. F. -0/9-/2001 |
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Dear Rabbi Shafran, it is too soon to say what will be in america...but it seems to me that all Jews should be aware that america may not have a history of persecuting its Jews...but that may not continue. Please do not, as your article suggests, so easily dismiss the strong possibility that life for Jews in america may never be the same,and may no longer be safe. Hashem Y'rachem on all of us!!
-0/9-/2001 |
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Rabbi, I applaud your generous and forgiving attitude. I have long admired the Jews and their devotion to Israel and to each other. I hope America, generally speaking, will show the same devotion to each other during this difficult time. We absolutely must rely, depend, console and believe in each other. We must stand firmly with out president.
It is indeed difficult to rationize the indiscriminate destruction of another country and "innocent people". That, however, is apparently not the belief of Islam, now is it? They destroyed an enormous amount on Tuesday: Buildings, families, people, livlihoods, etc., and they apparently felt no remorse for doing so if the openly joyous display of the Palistinians is any example. So, I am suggesting that the alternative to leaving targeted areas anything less than a "lunar landscape" may eventuate in an error someone else will pay for.
-0/9-/2001 |
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Fantastic. Thanks for the "chizuk". A happy new year to you and all of Klal Yisroel.
-0/9-/2001 |
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Scandinavian countries never persecuted Jews either, as well as many other countries. Reading psalms may be a good beginning. Convincing orthodox congregations that he US is a Malchut Chessed and having them say a prayer for the state (as is done everywhere in Europe) and not only for Israel before mussaf on Shabbes would also be of interest. Further actions will probably have to be undertaken however.
- A. R. -0/9-/2001 |
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I live half a world away and I wept at the inhumanity of the attack, and my helplessness to do anything. I tried to view it from a spiritual aspect, but have not yet understood. Your words will have deep meaning and comfort for many, and I thank you.
Shalom.
- K. I. -0/9-/2001 |
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I think we are missing the point of the Jewish response, the same way we missed the point to the victory in Israel in 1967. Hashem gave us a beautiful gift in '67. How did we handle it? The religious confined themselves in their 4 cubits while the secular confined themselves in their world. The right went to the right while the left veered further left.
The mistake is that we can not live in our 4 cubits any longer. We must reach out to our fellow Jews and even to goyim (on different levels, of course) and show them the jewels that Hashem has made available to us. The only way to bring peace is by inviting our not yet religious friends, neighbors, and colleagues over for a Shabbos or Yom Tov, welcome them into our homes, and show that our Bein Adam L'chavero is equal to our Bein Adam L'Makom. We have certainly worked on the latter. Have we really put the same effort into the former?
- R. L. -0/9-/2001 |
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Thank you. As always it is a pleasure to read Rabbi Shafran's take on a subject. This article helps.
- S. P. -0/9-/2001 |
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I am saddened by the tragedy and the fact that Jews in Israel were and are living with terrorists everyday, especially over the past year. Yet, the U.S. government imposes two different standards when dealing with the terrorist situation. Israel is suppose to restrain itself while the U.S. retaliates. How do we make our U.S. leaders recognize Israel's plight in light of this tragic event. Will it take another tragedy to recognize Israel is dealing with the same enemy?
-0/9-/2001 |
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