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Yaffa Ganz is the award winning author of forty titles for Jewish children, two books of essays for adults and many articles of Jewish interest in Jewish publications worldwide. She has written the popular "Savta Simcha" series and "Sand and Stars - A Jewish Journey Through Time" (a two volume Jewish history book for teen readers). The Ganzes live in Jerusalem.
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By Yaffa Ganz
February 2, 2003
Who says history doesn't repeat itself? Once again, as the Hebrew month of Adar approaches, Jews are being threatened with war and destruction. Once again, as in the time of Haman, and more recently in the Gulf War, the threat originates in the northeastern corner of the Fertile Crescent - in the Mesopotamiam-Babylonian-Persian-Irani-Iraqi quarter of the world. Once again, Jews in the Land of Israel are being told to prepare for an attack, an unprecedented attack in the annals of world history. This time, not just fire and metal, but chemicals, bacteria and radiation are the chosen weapons of destruction. Once again, the constant, unchanging element in the scenario is the identity of the victims - the Jews.
If this war does indeed come to pass, it is a war not of our making, which we did not originate and do not wish to participate in; a war in which our main interest is to remain safe and hopefully, on the sidelines. There is no logical explanation for attacking us. Only irrational hatred and senseless destruction can explain the mindset of our enemies. The eternal lamb is again being set up for slaughter. It is a case of Sinat Esav - the Hatred of Esau towards his brother Jacob - at its most pristine.
The timing is reminiscent of the Gulf War in 1991. Then, too, Purim was approaching. My mind oscillates between Purim masks and gas masks, and in keeping with the spirit of Purim, I have trouble relating seriously to suggestions for preparing emergency supplies. Purim celebrations and sealed rooms do not mix well. Then again, Purim dictates love for one's fellow Jews. Our love and Esau's hatred do not mix well either.
I often wondered where Jews throughout the ages found the spiritual strength to keep doing G-d's will - and to do it with joy - when actual, immediate, physical danger was stalking them. How could they circumcise their infant sons knowing the Syrian Greeks would soon discover what they had done? How they could sit down to a Pesach Seder generation after generation knowing that the goyim were waiting outside to attack? How they could keep the Sabbath week after week knowing they would lose their lives or their jobs (depending on the time and place) the following day? It's difficult to keep one's mind on things of the spirit at a time of physical fear.
Yet what else is there to keep one's mind on? What other "reality" really exists other than the deep seated, unexplainable faith that Hashem is our Father in Heaven, our Creator, our Protector - a merciful G-d who will not forsake His people? And who are His people, if not the people I know and see - my family, neighbors, friends, the people across the country and all around us? With all of their problems, their foibles, their misdeeds, they still cling to G-d's Eternal Torah, to its laws, to its truths. Even the ones who don't "cling" so tightly are still committed to many mitzvot, to the Jewish people, the Jewish Land, to their Jewish identity. Even the ones who do not understand what it is they are clinging to, refuse to let go completely. When the going gets rough, their instinctive gut reaction comes from their distinctly Jewish soul. In emergencies, the Pintele Yid burns brighter.
We don't always understand what G-d demands of us; we don't always fulfill our obligations to the best of our limited abilities; we often fail or rebel. But then again, we are the children of the Almighty and a father does not abandon his children. Who else does Hashem have if not us? No other nation was willing to accept the burden of His Torah. If only for that, do we not deserve His love, His forgiveness, His mercy?
Therefore I know that just as we have never truly forsaken Him, despite a very long and painful exile, despite our weaknesses, He will never forsake us. Saddam Husseins come and go under different names and in different times and places. G-d and His people are one, unique, eternal and inseparable. Netzach Yisrael lo yeshaker - the Eternal One of Israel will not prove false. This war, too, if it does begin, will pass. We do not know what price will be exacted; we pray it will not be too high. But at one point, Hashem will declare that we have waited long enough. The Geulah - the Redemption - will come.
And so I've exchanged our old gas masks for new ones and we've purchased a few extra bottles of water. I might even buy a dozen cans of tuna and a box of batteries, but I'll wait a while before making any other purchases or preparations. In this part of the world, things are fluid. One never knows what tomorrow will bring. But when the month of Adar arrives, Marbim b'simcha - we increase our measure of joy. We're hoping for good things.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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