Next Year in Israel

As Passover, the Festival of Freedom, approaches, we would do well to focus upon the fact that the reborn Jewish State is but a continuation of Jewish Destiny. How can it be otherwise? What other people in the history of nations was rescued from slavery from the most powerful nation in the world via incredible miracles, returned to their homeland where they built a powerful Kingdom and lived under the Law of G-d, exiled from their homeland for two thousand years yet still maintained their identity, and, exactly as predicted in our Torah, returned to that very homeland where they reestablished Jewish sovereignty? Could this have been an accident or mere happenstance? We tend to overlook the miracles which enabled us to return to our ancient homeland. It is amazing that anyone could look at Jewish return as anything less than an incredible miracle. Every war we fought was wrought with miracles. Yet we forget or overlook those miracles and continue to think that we are like all of the other nations of the world. It is this factor, more than any other, which causes us so much needless suffering.

The fact is that even today most of the nations of the world would like to see us disappear. Our very existence is annoying proof that the G-d of Israel is not just an old legend, rather the true Creator of the Universe who is still very much involved with His Creations. When the leaders of the Jewish State try to create peace by appeasing our enemies, they insult our Creator. They demonstrate that they are more afraid of what nations think then they are of angering our G-d.

Our Prime Minister talks of not tolerating attacks upon our citizens. Yet it is he who encourages those attacks by continuing to try to negotiate our birthright. Our homeland should never be up for negotiation. The very concept of limiting where and when Jews can build homes in Israel is a virtual concession that we do not believe that all of the Land of Israel belongs to us. A genuine Jewish leader would declare firmly and clearly that there is no such thing as an illegal Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. He would also declare that there is no such thing as an Arab nation called “Palestine”. Any Arab who calls himself a “Palestinian” is declaring that he is an enemy of the Jewish State and should not be permitted to live here. And any Jewish government which chooses to recognize a Palestinian entity in the Land of Israel is a traitor to the country it alleges to serve.

On Passover we are reminded that we are a holy people with a holy mission. We are reminded that in every generation there arise those who seek to destroy us and that the Holy One always rescues us from their hand. Yet that is no justification for working with our enemies toward our own self destruction. . . even though He will rescue us even from ourselves.

Peace is a holy goal. It one of the names of our G-d. But it can never be achieved by negating His Commandments or denying our Divine destiny. As we sit at our seder table this year let us try to recognize the lesson of Jewish history and Jewish destiny. Let us realize that we have a part to play in serving our G-d as Biblical Redemption unfolds before our eyes. Let us not continue to sit on the sidelines and just wait. We have an opportunity to take an active role in this Divine process and help to accelerate it. The ancient cry at the end of our seder, “Next year in Jerusalem!” is no longer a futile hope. It is a dream which each and every Jew can fulfill right now.

Let us hear the words of the Hagaddah and be encouraged by them. Hatikva is no longer just a hope. It is a reality in which each and every Jew can and should participate. May this year be the very last year that Jews choose to live in Exile. Let us all choose to come home now, while we still can make that choice. Next year in Israel!!!

Project Shofar seeks to bring this message to those who choose not to see. It is incredible that the majority, both in the Exile and even in Israel, fail to see the obvious. They prefer to believe in the nonsense that we can make peace with those who seek our destruction rather than to accept the reality that with us is the greatest power in the world Who wants us to make real peace simply by accepting and demonstrating the fact that He and only He is in charge.

If you would like to invite Gary Cooperberg to speak in your area feel free to contact him.