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RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL:JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL:JEWISH RENEWAL:GAZA WAR:ZECHARIAH
Dear Editor:
On the last days of Hanukah Jews were faced with two future visions.
On Saturday, Jews worldwide read Zechariah's Prophetic vision of the Temple being restored and its Menorah being re lit after years of Babylonian captivity 2500 years ago. He and his fellow Jews were in humiliating exile. Babylonian militarism destroyed the Temple.
Zechariah taught that the rebuilding and relighting must be achieved by God's power and not by mobilized might. The Talmudic rabbis who chose this portion to be read during Hanukah, [and many did not want to celebrate the holiday at all], were afraid that future, unschooled Jews and rabbis, would proclaim Hanukah a military event. They were fearful that future Jews would forget that the Maccabees (Hasmoneans) killed fellow Jews and invited Rome to help them rule, causing the beginning of the end for an independent Jewish people.
This is the spiritual choice and vision for Jews.
Jews have another choice, given on the same Saturday. At least 225 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombs using might, power and violence to stop Hamas. This is the military choice for Jews.
As a rabbi, all I ask now is for people to examine the two choices we are given by two texts:
"Not by Might, and not by Power --- but by My Breathing Spirit, says God- Infinite." -- Zechariah 4: 6.
OR -- New York Times, December 27, 2008: "Gaza - Waves of Israeli airstrikes ... killing more than 225 - the highest one-day toll in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades.''
Shalom!!!
Rabbi Arthur Segal
JEWISH RENEWAL
JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC
BLUFFTON, SC
SAVANNAH, GA
