Opinion

There is a certain respected figure in New York City who radically differs with me in political and sometimes religious outlooks. However, I heard that he fell ill recently, so I texted him to see how he was doing. His response was that, thank G-d, he is doing well. Then he continued, “You move out to Baltimore and suddenly the bridges start collapsing. Coincidence? I think not.” To which I responded, “Of course it’s not a coincidence. Baltimore is counting on me to be the bridge builder!” At least I got a winky smiley out of him.

The Midrash (B’reishis Rabbah, Chapter 5) has a very interesting account of Creation, stating as follows:

“At the time G-d decided to create Adam (Man), Chesed (Kindness) advised to create Man, as he often practices chesed. Emes (Truth) advised against creating Man, as he was full of deceit. Tzedek (Righteousness) advised in favor of creating Man, as he often practices tzedek. Shalom (Peace) opposed creating Man, because he is often engaged in machlokes (strife). What did Hashem finally do? He took Emes and threw it to the ground (and thus created Man).”

I am sure that, over the years, you’ve seen cartoons where someone is held upside down to get all the change out of his pockets. Well, the Jews and the world have been turned upside down. What do we find?

Islamophobia is one of the worst forms of bigotry against a people. It drives much of the terror and spreads much of the anti-Jewish hatred around the world. College campuses are very guilty of Islamophobia as we witness the wide support of Hamas and demonization of Israel. The growing far-Left of the Democratic Party is also guilty of this phobia to a great extent. You might think I’m kidding, but I’m not.

My father zt”l would recall witnessing prominent Jews on their knees, being forced by the Nazis to scrub the streets of Vienna, sometimes using toothbrushes. It was a major blow to the morale of the Jewish citizens to see their rabbanim and rebbes degraded in such a public fashion.

I am not necessarily a big fan of Chabad. Many things they do and believe are most definitely not in my line of thinking. Nor are they in most mainstream Orthodox circles. But let’s face it: No one comes close to the international care for Jews as they do. No one spreads the joy and pride of being Jewish like they do.