Comments for Rabbibrian's Blog

Comment on A visit to Bethlehem: Life on the Other side of the Wall by Mark Braverman

Mark Braverman — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:57:53 +0000

This is a beautiful statement, Brian, straight from the nefesh. It was a pleasure and an honor to share the experience with you – a span of days that I know neither of us will ever forget. And yes, the pain of entering Israel from the West Bank is an experience that cannot be adequately described — but you did it. On my way home I stopped in Sheikh Jarrah in east Jerusalem, and like you, am moved to write about it. I will follow your example and blog about this trip in the next few days. And will reciprocate by linking to this blog.

Y’aseh shalom aleynu v’all kol yoshvei tevel.

Mark

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by Gerald Coles/Kolsky

Gerald Coles/Kolsky — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:59:11 +0000

I too want to express my thanks for this remembrance of, commentary on, and call for continued action against this Israeli travesty.

I would like to suggest another way of conceptualizing the association between Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead. While the armed struggle of the Maccabees embodied a revolt against oppression and an assault on Judaism (or one form of it), and, as such, could be justified (for those of us who are not opposed to the use of violence under certain circumstances), one cannot see that Hannukah history only in terms of this struggle.

Following the victory, the Hasmoneans, the priestly family who led the revolt against the Syrians, declared themselves political rulers, thereby eliminating a tradition of a division of authority between priests and political leaders and became a corrupt ruling regime with concentrated power that continued through a few generations and was oppressive for both Jews and non-Jews. Hasmonean rule was particularly marked by religious zealotry that often mete out violent measures for non-Jews similar to that which had been mete out to Jews before the revolt.

Consequently, this history has parallels to the history of Israel starting with Nakba and continuing to Operation Cast Lead. Just as the rabbis of old made a candid, critical appraisal of the early history that is the basis of Hannukah, so too we Jews today must make a similar appraisal of current amoral Jewish political and military power. Resistance to the oppression of Jews at one point in time never justifies subsequent Jewish immorality and oppressive actions against others.

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by The Twelve Days Before Christmas and an Open Letter to The House « Therearenosunglasses’s Weblog

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:53:34 +0000

[...] December 18, 2009 Rabbi Walt wrote, Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later from which I [...]

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by Cy L Swartz

Cy L Swartz — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:42:55 +0000

Your message reminds me of the horrible response of the settlers in Hebron – at the time of the Baruch Goldstein massacre; they picked up just where they left off n their Purim Parade after the shooting!

We must continue to support each other as US citizens to join with all people of conscience in our country to reverse our national policy(ies) toward Israel. The blockade of Gaza is supported by the US government. The US continues to sell weapons to Israel and to lend significant financial support. There are ca. 30 501C3 non profit groups in the US that are sending money to Hebron and to other West Bank settlements.

Prayer and fasting and polemics and p’sukim can help us to initiate and support appropriate political action in the USA is support of justice, equity, and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

With hope that in partnership with our fellow Americans we can make god’s kingdom real on our planet -

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by louis frankenthaler

louis frankenthaler — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:28:25 +0000

We at the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel released this report on the Israeli Military Doctrine… http://www.stoptorture.org.il/en/node/1504.

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by Nicholas Boonin

Nicholas Boonin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:53:21 +0000

Hanukah is not only about a military victory. The real miracle of Hanukah is God’s willingness to extending the life of the sacred oil for 8 days. So, even after disaster and desecration of our Temple God finds a way to help us make things become holly again.

All the parties involved in the Middle East conflict have made the opportunity of peace into a situation that seems untenable.

We must make peace.

If we can only make a peace in which all parties still have disagreements. And, that peace may seem broken and desecrated, let us have faith in God that The Holly One will find a way to help us make a cobbled that peace into something that is holly again.

Just as God helped make the shattered Temple holly again, a thousand years ago, miracles can happen again and help make an imperfect peace sacred.

Peace to you all in this season of hope,

Nicholas Boonin

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by rabbibrian

rabbibrian — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:41:33 +0000

Thank you also for your prophetic leadership and your overly gracious and generous comment.
This Hannukah we could use a miracle. Chava Alberstein has an amazing song, Ata Pele, which I just thought of now. It would be a great way to mark Shabbat Hannukah in Jewish communities. It is a Hebrew translation of Paolo Cassales poem, “You are a miracle.”
Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov, Chag Urim Sameach

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by tirzah firestone

tirzah firestone — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:07:18 +0000

Thank you for this comprehensive journal of the past year. It is a tragic unfolding, not only because of the havoc we have brought on the Gazan society, but also because of our own fear and blindness that have allowed the profound distortion of Jewish values. Thank you for being fearlessly outspoken; yours is a prophetic voice that calls us back to our highest truth.

Comment on Hannukah and Operation Cast Lead: One year later by rbarenblat

rbarenblat — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:30:30 +0000

Hannukah is a rejection of power and military might and an affirmation of the Spirit of God that inheres in every human being. And it is this connection to the Spirit of Life that must be the center of our lives.

Amen v’amen. Thank you so much for posting these words.

Comment on You shall stand idly by: Goucher caves in to Fear by Linda L Grace

Linda L Grace — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:57:16 +0000

Dear Rabbi Brian,
I hope that you will call for investigation of the Goucher treatment of the speakings at this site:
http://www.thefire.org/

Academic freedom of speech is what the F.I.R.E. organization is all about.
There is a place on the site to ask for Fire to investigate the issue
http://www.thefire.org/cases/submit/