Graphic teefed from Jewschool |
Over shabbat I read an editorial in the Jpost which talked about “Shalom Aleichem’s bittersweet, only semi-fictitious account of Dreyfus in Kasrilovka.”
The Jews in the shtetl of Kasrilovka, “beleaguered though they were, up to their necks in pressing problems of self-preservation, they evinced unending capacity for empathy with fellow-Jews – even Dreyfus, an aloof Jew, radically unlike themselves, an assimilationist who didn’t know their hamlet existed and didn’t spare a thought for far-off Jewish multitudes out of his sight, mind and concern.”
The author uses this example to contrast with many Israelis of today, whose sentiment about fellow Jews in Gush Katif is essentially “toss the fuckers out”. Today we mourn the loss of a temple that we understand was destroyed by a Jew hating his brother, and yet we have no qualms justifying our own callousness to our fellow Jew. I’ve seen it on Jewlicious, I’ve heard it in conversation here. No matter what you think of the politics or the actions, several thousand Jews are about to be forced to start their lives over, old folks and families alike, giving up everything they have built and fought for for up to 30 years. They feel betrayed by their country. They feel misunderstood by their fellow Jews. They have literally given their lives for something they are now being told is a mistake. On this day of all days, can we perhaps make a collective effort for some empathy, compassion, or, dare I ask, a little love?
- Shabbat in the Uttermost West - 2/25/2007
- The chosen books of the chosen people - 2/18/2007
- Why Not Al? - 2/15/2007
Wrong.
The difference is that
a. Israel is JEWISH LAND
b. The arabs made themselves refugges by listening to the arab nations when the arabs countries told them to leave for a while until Israel is wiped out. Thats what happened in 67′
I have no compassion for those who left only for Israel to be wiped out.
I am curious how many of you had similar feelings of despair and sadness when Palestinian families were driven from their homes to first build and then expand each of these settlements? Of all the world’s “refugees,” the Israeli settlers from Gaza do not have a particularly bad deal. In fact, they have the relative luxury of being driven away by their own military, and moreover, of being driven back to Israel–a modern nation-state with a working government and the capacity to support those settlers who comply with the decisions of the Knesset. While I don’t want to see the Israeli settler families harmed, its not because they are my fellow Jews. Its because they are human, and deserving of more dignity and compassion than they have shown to the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians that their presence directly and indirectly effects.
What can I say…
Kahane told you so.
BZ, you have clearly missed the point.
What qualifies as “empathy” or “compassion”? How about resettling all of the settlers in new homes a mile away on the government’s shekel? What more do you want (short of cancelling the disengagement, which just isn’t going to happen)?
Insisting that the settlers comply with the disengagement is not hatred.
rebecca please keep up informed.
On channel one last night, they showed the non-residents of one of the non-religious towns in the Northern part of the strip who have left voluntarily and how they had no place to go. The most famous refugee was the one who’s daughter was killed. He put the monument on his flat bed truck and said that until the government gives him a place to sleep, he’ll stay with the monument and sleep in his cab. Middle, these are the law abiding people who registered for compensation exactly like the government put down in the ‘disengagement law’. But these were lies. In several days, a great humanitarian crisis will occur when food stocks run out and more refugees are forcibly kicked out into nowhere.
It isn’t a conspiracy, it’s evil. The Supreme court was petitioned many times, but they time and time again claimed some B.S. ‘we don’t get involved in political issues’ excuse (conveniently forgetting how they meddled in the imfamous security fence in order that it would not infinge on the ‘rights’ of the Palestinian farmer at the expense of Jewish security.
Many, many politicians and reporters are finally wiping their consciouses clean today and admitting that the planning was poor. Conveniently, after the guillotine has started to fall.
And you’ll keep minimizing this blatant disregard for justice, the destruction of Israeli democracy and say that it’s just settlers looking for sympathy.
I already know when the first bullet will be fired. Tens of thousands of land of Israel loyalists are now converging on the south (with god’s help, me very soon as well) but one scared soldier who’s been brainwashed with the importance to follow orders will fire on a ‘suspicious person’ in the dark and claim later he thought it was a terrorist infiltrator.
Only god can save us now.
good post laya. for people in israel who, regardless of their political affiliation, would be interested in helping those families who are in the process of being relocated- perhaps by baby-sitting or shlepping boxes, etc- there are many ways to help out. as soon as i get more info regarding transportation and various volunteer opportunities, i’ll post it here.
There was no conspiracy, Laya. There was a desire to postpone the disengagement in the hope that something would come up and prevent it. It so happened that this particular reason – the days of mourning leading up to Tisha B’Av – resonated with Mofaz, Sharon and the Cabinet.
I’m not arguing with you. I was responding to a question with correct facts and you decided to claim some conpiratorial angle. The “universe” has little do with any of this. Both sides have had a very long time to make their plans.
With respect to brotherly love, we agree. I’m not sure what good reflecting does at this point, but let’s hope the brotherly love thing happens anyway.
Middle, the date has been changed several times over the past year. It is not a day to argue. Instead of implying any kind of right or left conspiracy, i will just repeat
Maybe the universe designed it this way so we would have a day to reflect on the need for brotherly love as it happens.
It is only fitting that the ‘disengagement’ was postponed to today. While we commemorate the destruction of the temples on the 9th of av, the fact is that the temples were attacked on the 9th but only destroyed on the tenth of av, today. That’s while the mourning (without the fast) still continues until the middle of the day.
So it started today, and a military mission is defined a success only if the objective is acheived. The objective here, the complete de-judification of Gaza.
The army, the police and the evil people who sent them won’t be successful.
Last night, a simple sign of their impending failure. The gate was ceremoniously closed on Gush Katif. But it wouldn’t stay down.
With video: http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/970/836.html
Actually, Laya, it was originally designated to happen a couple of weeks ago. The rabbis of Yesha informed Mofaz that Tisha Be’av is actually the conclusion of a three week period of mourning for the destruction of the Temple (who knew!?) and he recommended to Sharon at their request that the date be pushed back until after Tisha Be’av.
also, chazar, it is my understanding that the date was not a settler plot, but that the original, knesset set date for the pullout was in fact August 14. When they realized it would correspond with tisha b’av, they decided it might ot be the best idea and moved it a little.
Maybe the universe designed it this way so we would have a day to reflect on the need for brotherly love as it happens.
this is not just tragic for our brethren in gush katif this is a tragedy for all jews G-d is kicking us off of His (our) land and giving it to the arabs. The arabs view this as a victory against all jews not just the settlers. I’m thinking of fasting half a day tomorrow for this.
It’s ironic that the ones who cared the most about the land of Israel are the ones that are losing it.
TM, it’s happening now because G-d wants it to (apparently the Temple ruins continued to burn during the 10th of Av).
btw, The Temple was destroyed 1938 years ago.
well said, laya. cuts thru all the noise and reminds us of our shared plight as jews. whether you’re anti- or anti-anti or a bit of both, it really doesn’t matter now. we need to reach out and support our brothers and sisters across the great divide.
thanks everyone. While internet well wishes may not do anything to help people on the ground I have to believe that Jewish unity in mind and spirit does indeed do something. Remember there is an injunction not to harden our hearts against our brother.
Middle, I did read the Katsav speech when you posted it. It was noteworthy because it unfortunately does NOT represent the views of most Israel’s from every conversation I’ve had about this topic in the past year.
Shalom Aleichem was an awesome writer. I need to read more of him. I had thought that most peope were feeling the pain of the Gush folks. I don’t know if this is accurate of the general population but both Yediot and Haaretz had very sympathetic human interest stories of families who have to leave.
Laya –
Beautifully written and I completely agree with you. At this point, all that can be done is to support those who have to make a new home for themselves as much as we possibly can.
Chazar, the disengagement was to take place before the fast but the settlement movement requested the delay until after the fast. I presume it was partially intended to indicate that somehow removing 8000 people from Gaza should be a reminder of the destruction of the Temple. In other words, it was the government at the request of the settlers and probably with the intent of having you and many others ask the question you did.
Laya, you should read the post with Katsav’s speech to the settlers. I believe he represents the views of most Israelis.
You are right esther – making an internet tba group therapy will not help the people on the groud there, right now. But this is not the end of the Jewish history and nebach there is hell of a chances ahead of us to screw more things up. I feel presonal responsibility for what happens right now in Gaza so let me work on my part and if everybody just made sure to fullfil just her/his obligations this world would be much better place, no?
http://www.hebcal.com chazar
I hate hating. And then I hate myself for hating hating. And let me tell you, I hate when that happens. Seriously, though, I’m feelin’ the deathpig on this one. And I understand the ahavat yisrael that prompted Laya to make this post. But are psychic hugs of any help to people who are displaced from their homes, for whatever justified or unjustified reason? It’s still displacement. It’s still relocation. It’s still not their choice. I feel like sending internet love or emotional support to people I don’t know won’t make much of a difference…
“Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers; our houses to foreigners.” — Eichah, 5:2
I cried so hard when that line was read last night during the reading of Eichah.
Does anyone know if the Israeli government davka set up the disengagement to coincide with the 9th of Av, or was it a divinely-inspired “coincidence”?
And… anyone know what time the fast ends in NYC?
(lost my shul news sheet)
it is really hearbreaking regardless whether you are “pro”, “anti” or ignorant. Jews are being evicted and it is all our fault as we failed to love each other enough. Here on jewlicious and in “the real world”.
Yet another year we failed and we have to fast again but will it help this time. WIll the fact that what happens in Israel right now when a lot of Jews still have Tisha b’Av make us think? Jews suffering again just because we perpetuate the hatred. I hate hating….. and I m hungry with over 5 hours to go. It s good 5 morehours to think and pray that I ll be better jew next year.
Right on Laya sending out a psychic hug to our brothers and sisters on the front lines
yes chaim, reading it over, i can see how you could have misread what i am saying. poor choice of words, i apologize.
I think eyal agrees with you chaim. he was calling for less callousness. It is indeed heartbreaking and I pray no one gets hurt. And yes, I am friggin hungry. And cranky. Israelis are already eating, but I still have a few hours to go here at Eastern Standard Time land.
Oh for those not aware, today was/is a fast day, second only to Yom Kippur and commemorates the destruction of both the Temples in Jerusalem.
Eyal, I think you missed Laya’s point. You should feel more than just “sucks to be them” It’s heartbreaking to see your comment following a very touching and true post.
i wish people could understand that one does not need to be simultaneously pro-disengagement and callous to the hundreds of families loosing their homes. sucks to be them, really, really does.
on another subject, is anyone else hungry?