State of the Nation on Erev Shavuot

As we have watched the Judea/Samaria situation unfolding between the Netanyahu and Obama governments, it is apparent how much pressure is put on the Prime Minister...every Prime Minister and every government of Israel.

photo: www.israelity.com/tag/photo/page/2

While I abhor the antics and capitulations of the Olmerts, the Sharons, and especially the Tzipi Livnis, it isn't hard to understand why some buckle under and others try to fight it for a least a while.

I don't know if Bibi can withstand the pressure. I wish there was an easy answer to all of this, but there is not. The simplistic answers of many to just tell America to shove it sound noble and brave, but frankly to do that is neither practical nor feasible. We are, whether we like it or not, intertwined with America, much more so than with Europe. We have less trouble telling Europe to shove it... but America?.... that's hard, for a plethora of reasons.

If we cut the ties and the cords that bind us together, we really truly do stand alone. ALONE. For some, that is a really scary proposition, and for a nation that is supposed to always "stand alone", it can get a little wearisome... Have you ever tried to carry life's responsibilities completely alone? Ask any single parent how easy it is. Multiply that 1,000-fold for the nation.

We live in a global society. If we want to wipe out Iran's nuclear facility, we have to fly over US controlled air space. They have to give us permission to fly over and to re-fuel over those areas. We think we can tell America to shove it and then bomb Iran? How would we do that?

It just doesn't work that way, and the pompous and disgusting comments of the Clintons and the Obamas only emphasize that they know full well the vulnerable position we are in.

Bibi is counting on trying to meet a few of their demands to garner support against Iran. He is trying to give where he thinks it will do the least damage. He has remained firm on several issues, something NONE of his predecessors has ever done.

Netanyahu has stated the following:

• Jerusalem will NOT become an international City, and the UN flag will NOT fly over it.
• The PA and Abbas MUST recognize Israel as a JEWISH State
  
• Established towns and communities in Judea and Samaria will remain as they are and will grow. We will NOT tell the residents they cannot have babies and remodel their homes.

Where he has seemingly capitulated is with the outposts, agreeing to take down the ones deemed to be "illegal". Technically they are. They are homes and houses built without legal permits. To be fair, Netanyahu said in his campaign that the illegal outposts must come down as we are a "law abiding society." (uhmm, that's another story...or several)

But to our subject matter at hand, the obvious answer is, of course, two fold. If the Jewish "illegal" outposts and buildings come down, then so must the arab ones. Indeed, in Jerusalem we have recently seen increased orders to take down many illegal houses (most of which are built on archeological sites and national parks.) If Bibi's government will extend the demolitions to ALL illegal houses, the international community (and Hillary Clinton especially) will go slightly berserk...there are thousands and thousands of illegal arab buildings and houses.

Secondly, the Netanyahu can make the outposts "legal" thus avoiding altogether the need to tear them down. Recently, legalizing an arab town in the Jordan Valley has been discussed. What's sauce for the goose...is sauce for the gander.

This would be my hope. Whether or not it will happen is another matter. I still want to give Bibi the benefit of the doubt, and still believe, of all our choices, he is the only viable candidate to be our Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for a 3-day War Test called "Turning Point 3" with the total and complete involvement of the entire nation. This is not a "little" practice exercise. All the reserves are being called up for miluim (reserve)duty, the coffee shop discussion is on the missing gas masks and the state or location (or lack there of) of the miklot (bomb shelter). There are some odd things about this particular War Game....something's not quite right, but I can't put my finger on it.

Guess there's some serious stuff ahead.

We will move into our holiday, with all of this on our mind. Yet we will be studying Torah, learning, eating cheesecake and remembering that this is the first holiday we celebrated as a nation when we took back Jerusalem in 1967.

That Shavuot, at dawn, after a night of study (a tradition on Shavuot) thousands and thousands of individuals spontaneously began to make their way to the western wall. The preceding days had marked the first time in 2000 years that Jews were able to again pray at the Wall, and to be able to do so on this Shavuot was remarkable. The sight and the feeling and the oneness was beyond description to those who participated. And so each year at dawn on Shavuot, we repeat the experience and do it again...thousands stream toward the Kotel to finish the night of study and reflection and to thank G-d that we are here in Jerusalem. Some do it with their feet, some with their hearts....but for all of us, it is more delicious than the cheesecake.

Because in spite of the foreboding headlines, in spite of statements and threats, and in spite of the worrisome appearance of things to come ... today, 6 Sivan 5769, we can say

Jerusalem, still in Jewish hands.

And that's the true state of the Nation on Erev Shavuot.

Chag Sameach, Shabbat Shalom