Gary Cooperberg, July 19, 2004

Once again Aliyah is in the headlines. Prime Minister Sharon was condemned by France for suggesting that Jews leave that country and come home to Israel, especially in the face of a marked increase in anti Semitism in that country.

What most people do not understand is that the real cause of increased world-wide anti- Semitism is the fact that Jews do not want to leave the Exile and come home. France is just the beginning of a growing tide of Jew hatred throughout the world. Before there was a Jewish state we had no choice but to either keep our heads low, or run away to yet another Exile. Today we have the choice to come home, but most of us refuse to as much as consider it. By ignoring our obligation as Jews, it is we who bring on the flames of Jew hatred which will eventually see us thrown out of an Exile which is coming to an end whether or not we like it.

It is our function, as Jews, to elevate all of Mankind by setting an example of faith in the Creator of the Universe. The first step in that demonstration is the act of coming home even when it appears extremely difficult and dangerous to do so. Of course it is not enough simply to come home. We have leaders in Israel who are working overtime to undo the many miracles which saw our ancient homeland rebuilt and Jews returning from all over the world. Yet, when a Jew is willing to risk his fortune and safety to demonstrate his faith in G-d, that is what causes genuine miracles.

Sharon is not the first Prime Minister to encourage aliyah. Nor is he the first to be chastised for so doing. . . even by many of his own people. The real problem is that most of us do not really understand or consider the reality that Biblical Redemption is beginning and the welfare of the entire world is related to how we react. The Redemption will continue unto completion no matter what we do. But by working with the Divine Process we can avoid much needless tragedy which we are currently bringing upon ourselves.

Sharon is our Prime Minister. He was elected by an overwhelming majority. But we did not elect him to be King of Israel. The majority which voted for him did so in reaction to his statements that no settlements would be dismantled. His own party clearly expressed its opposition to this policy. In reaction Sharon is trying to literally re-create a new government comprised of opposition parties which will agree to policies his own party and the majority of Israelis oppose! Were Israel a genuine democracy such a breach of trust would be not only illegal but punishable as a crime!

How can Sharon call upon Jews to come home while at the same time he plans to expel Israeli Jews from their homes in Israel? Yes, indeed, there are too many Arabs in Gaza. So, for that reason, we should remove the Jews? That is insane! You have an army which is being prepared to evict people from their homes? So why not evict our enemies? If you are so worried about offending world powers that you are prepared to spit on your own brothers, then maybe you don’t deserve to have a country. Before a Jewish leader can call upon his brothers in Exile to come home, he must first dedicate himself to preserving and protecting that home. . . not dismantling even part of it.

Gary Cooperberg is a resident of the Jewish community in Hebron, Israel.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Cooperberg