4 Comments

Rabbi, I think the circumstances surrounding this issue are more complicated. First, Hamas terrorists are terrorists because they are funded. Without funds, no terrorists. Just hired guns. So who are the real terrorists, Hamas or those who fund them? Second, do Hamas and those who fund them have any justification for their behavior? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, which calls into question the moral justification for the establishment of the State of Israel, an extremely difficult question. Hashem is orchestrating the present situation and knows whose hands are clean.

Expand full comment

Kudos to you! I agree 💯 %! Since the formation of the state, Jews all over the world have suffered from Zionist indoctrination. It is time for Jews to wake up to the lies spouted in our name. Bibi does not speak for world Jewry. He does not want peace just never ending conflict and war. I daven that Hashem should bring Moshiach soon and end this madness.

Expand full comment

Thank you, but we disagree about Netanyahu. Despite his faults, he is irretrievably passionate about the Jewish people. Regardless of the propriety or impropriety of the formation and conduct of the State of Israel (which a famous Torah scholar once said isn't a Jewish state but a place where many Jews live), all of us Jews are inescapably tied to one another and to the land of Israel. Therein lies the dilemma. Our heritage and connection are permanent and unbreakable, and we forge ahead together as best we can, hopefully in sync with Hashem. Moshe Rabbeinu struggled with some of the same problems, talked to Hashem about it, and the Israelites obeyed only in part. I wish I knew what Hashem wants now.

Expand full comment

Rabbi,

I have to agree with you. The deal is not about money. It is about doing what is right. That means answering as G-d would, not as Man would. I am not sure what pressure Hamas puts on those civilians, mostly women and children behind whom they hide. But as G-d's children, He asks us to go past our personal and material desires to do the right thing, All are created in His image and likeness, and we all have that in our scriptures, and our beliefs. Both sides need to come together to peacefully settle. And that takes a big risk. But in G-D's logic, those who refuse to dialogue already know they are wrong. Why are they that determined to continue to challenge lives, and for what? When have enough innocent died? Maybe I do not understand the mentality of Hamas, but what glory, what justice is served by hiding behind or killing the weak and the innocent? There is no bravery, and no praise of G-d in being so cowardly.

Deacon William Orazio Gallerizzo

Catholic Pastoral Bioethics

Expand full comment