Gary Cooperberg, May 8, 2006

The recent elections in Israel left many good people wondering about what kind of state we really have here. In fact more people abstained from participating in elections than ever before. I count myself among them. I am not sorry that I chose not to vote. But the issue is an extremely confusing one. I hasten to add that I have not given up on the state and still believe it to be the beginning of the process of Redemption. In spite of the fact that we have neither a democratic nor religious state, with all of its faults it is still a Jewish State and for that fact alone it is a holy state of which I am proud to be a part.

The alleged captain of our holy ship hasn’t the slightest idea where he is trying to steer us. In truth, all former leaders of this country failed to understand the awesome responsibility and power that was in their hands. Israel was destined to be the leader of all nations. Yet our government has never found the courage to use the infinite power that we have always possessed. If we would lead the whole world would follow. But if we choose to curry favor with super powers at the expense of our most basic self interests, not to mention holy obligations, then the world will turn against us, and it is.

Olmert is not the first to assume that appeasement will bring peace. But his failure to learn the lessons of history will bring much needless tragedy to our country and to the world. He is trying to ascertain if his "new" plan will bring world recognition of Israel’s borders. Any child could tell him that it will not. Even were he to restrict his new state to the boundaries of Tel Aviv our enemies will not even accept that. Had he even a shred of self respect and honesty, if he believes his own premise that we cannot live with our enemies, he would draw up a plan to remove those enemies rather than remove Jews and help our enemies to build yet another enemy state on Jewish soil.

The fact that the rebirth of the Jewish State after two thousand years of exile is clearly a miracle does not protect us completely from the follies of our leaders. While the state cannot and never will be destroyed, we will be and are being punished for our failure to work with the G-dly process. The stains of Yamit and Gaza do not cancel the miracle of our rebirth and continued growth as a viable nation. It was not the Hand of G-d that made us leave Gaza. It wasn’t even the hand of our enemies. It was the hand of our own government! It was a grave sin for which we will pay dearly. It’s initiator, Sharon, already paid the highest price, but the others will not go unpunished. Olmert would do well to consider what awaits him should he continue with this madness.

The State of Israel is presently in an apparent verge of self destruction. Yet this is but an illusion. The Creator of the Universe is making it more difficult for us to express our faith in Him in order to give us the opportunity to truly express that faith. It is understandable, on a logical plane, for people to lose hope in this country. If this is not part of a miraculous process guided by G-d then it would be most sensible to leave as soon as possible, and certainly not to even think about moving here. But if it is a G-dly process, it would be foolish to walk away from it. Now is the best time to express our faith by coming home and by standing with our G-d.

I abstained from voting because I know that our government is totally irrelevant to our future. It could be very relevant were it to choose to accept the yoke of Torah as the final authority. But it won’t. Instead it will cause our G-d to work Wonders in a manner which most will not see. It will also bring us needless suffering. But it can never stop the process. If it is clear that our government is actually bringing harm to the state, then I want no hand in that government. That is why I chose not to vote. I will accept whatever comes and defy any effort to deny our Torah. But I will never give up on the holy Jewish State of which we all have the good fortune to be a part.

Gary Cooperberg, a resident of the Jewish community in Hebron, Israel, is the founder and director of Project Shofar.

Copyright © 2006 Gary Cooperberg