5 years ago
September 12, 2006I have a small break in work so I thought I’d give a few thoughts about 9/11.
On Sunday Penina and I were stuck for a few minutes at a roadblock going from 375 on the back road into the tunnels past Gilo on the way to Jerusalem. She made a comment about it being so inconvenient. I didn’t say anything but this is the way of life post 9/11 in the US but it is an everyday occurance for people living in israel. It doesnt faxe us anymore seeing soldiers in JFK with the huge machine guns. In Israel there is almost no second thought to the anniversary of 9/11.
Even for the anglos.
When I mentioned to my friends on thew way to the airport that we were flying to the US ON 9/11. It didn’t register anything. Unfortunately, this threat is on us 24/7. Seeing security guards when you walk into the mall or a restaurant is normal. Maybe not normal, actually…rather, not unusual. Having to take your shoes off in the airport or not being able to bring toothpaste or deodorant in your carry on is just another small step in showing how we are living in this constant fear. Just think how much 9/11 has made our lives so inconvenient and has made the world a much different place for our children. If I’m going to live like this…. I’d rather bring up my kids in Israel. In Israel we know, for the most part, where the threat lies and how to deal with it. Most of the world is too busy cowtowing to Iran and the Muslim world and think Israel is the cause of the world’s ills.
The most vexing part is the policy of the current gov’t of israel. Are they defending Israel or are they bowing to international pressure. It seems that Olmert is trying to walk that fine line and I do not believe it can be done. Every military action is done halfway so nothing gets accomplished. Soldiers are still not home and the blockade was called off before the international force was put in place. Alot of head scratching going on.
I heard an interesting thought from a history shiur from Rabbi Spiro. The gist was when troubles are being applied by other nations on Israel throughout history. From the days of Joshua through the years of the shoftim. Its only a result of us not doing mitzvot and learning torah. While we have to deal with the external issues, we have to keep in mind that we should pay attention to our own maasim.
It was just in this weeks parsha. Problems are the result of our not keeping the torah. The land spits us out and we face curses when we are distant from H-shem. Lets hope that with a strong elul and teshuva we can see a safer eretz yisroel and world in the post 9/11 era.
J
