I
have great respect for all the work that you are doing on campus to
combat the anti-Jewish propaganda of Palestinian and other Arab
student groups. I am aware of your sense of isolation, and I share
your concern about the growing anti-Semitism on your campus. As you
indicated, it is somewhat ironic that you - a person who has always
been understanding of the problems of the Palestinians and supported
a two-state solution to the conflict - are now engaged in combating
their lies and distortions about Israel and the Jewish people.
The
purpose of my letter is not to discuss politics, however, but to
respond to your thoughts about your future. You mentioned that you
will be making plans in the next two weeks regarding your summer
activities, as well as your studies over the next few years. Knowing
of your love for our people, I would therefore urge you to seriously
consider how you can best prepare yourself to serve our people. You
follow the news in Israel carefully, and you know that our problems
are not just from our enemies. You are aware of the loss of vision in
Israel, and you once expressed shock at the materialistic attitude of
much of the population. The gap between the rich and the poor is
growing, the media is full of hedonism, and much of the country is
busy imitating the worst aspects of contemporary western culture. We
have serious internal problems in the diaspora, as well. I certainly
don't have to describe to you the high rate of assimilation in North
America, nor do I need to tell you that the majority of American Jews
have little or no knowledge of their spiritual heritage.
As
a student of Jewish history, I feel that the leaders of the Jewish
people within the coming years - both in Israel and the diaspora -
will be men and women who are rooted in the spiritual vision of the
Jewish people. The leadership of our people, in my opinion, will not
be drawn from the ranks of political activists, but from the ranks of
spiritual activists - individuals who are helping their brothers and
sisters to rediscover our Covenant with the Compassionate One and
each other. As the late Yigal Allon, Israel's defense minister, once
said: "Before we can become a light to others, we first have to
become a light to ourselves." It is therefore worthwhile to
consider a serious study of your spiritual roots - to study the Torah
that has nurtured and preserved our people since the days when we
stood at Mount Sinai.
I
realize that you grew up in a secular-oriented home, and that you
were not exposed to deep Torah study. But it is never too late to
begin, my friend, and you can't consider yourself "over the
hill" at age 20! In fact, there are people in their seventies
and eighties who are beginning to study Torah. If you need some help
in choosing a program suitable for you, please let me know. Most of
these programs offer scholarships and you can attend some of them
through "Birthright." There are also work-study programs,
in case you need a break from full-time study.
When
the Jews in the vast Persian Empire were threatened with
annihilation, they began to turn inward. They began a collective
process of teshuva
- a return to the Compassionate One and each other. The Talmud
records that when they experienced redemption from their enemies,
they voluntarily reaccepted the Covenant of Torah. Purim is therefore
a holiday when Jews fully returned to their roots and recommitted
themselves to their unique and universal destiny.
There
are indications that we may be entering a "Purim" period of
our history, with serious dangers facing our people. Today one does
not have to be a political scientist to be aware that a great and
terrible war could engulf the Middle East with repercussions for Jews
everywhere. We therefore need to rediscover our spiritual strength
and vision so that we can once again merit a great salvation, just
like in the days of Purim. For the celebration of Purim and its
message of renewal will always be with us:
"And
these days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation,
every family, every province, and every city; and these days of Purim
should never cease among the Jews, nor shall their remembrance perish
from their descendants." (Esther 9:28)
Much
Shalom, and a Good Purim!
Yosef
Ben Shlomo Hakohen
Hazon
- Our Universal Vision: www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/hazon/
