In every generation they rise up to destroy us, but The Holy One, Blessed Be He, saves us from their hands (Liturgy read during the Passover Seder).
These words from the Passover Haggadah are not just ancient history; they are especially relevant in our days and at this time. And, as always, no one except the Almighty steps in to intervene. The world turns a blind eye, and even more egregiously, transforms the victim into the perpetrator.
This past Monday afternoon (18 April) a bomb exploded on an Egged bus in Jerusalem, injuring twenty people and killing one Israeli. Mainstream media reaction was predictable CNN called it a bus fire. Following the bombing joyous celebrations broke out among the ‘peace-loving groups’ Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) and Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah Party.
The Obama administration, being among those who in every generation rise up to destroy us, is continuing its assault on Israel in a variety of ways (here, here,here and here).
Not to be outdone, the United Nations and UNESCO are doing their part to undermine us.
Hamas is determined to annihilate us by using the cement provided for rebuilding homes and diverting it for their tunnel construction into Israel.
And last, but certainly not least, in the “Ivory Sewers” of American Academia, increasing numbers of Jewish students have experienced or witnessed anti-Semitic incidents on university campuses.
This is only just a small sample of what Israel and Jews throughout the world must now confront. But, in spite of the ‘balagan’ happening around the world, I plan to sit down at my Passover Seder on Friday evening confident that the same God who delivered our people from bondage in Egypt will continue to deliver us from the Pharaohs of today.
הִנֵּה לֹא־יָנוּם וְלֹא יִישָׁן שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
Hinay lo yanum v’lo yishan shomer Yisrael.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4)