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Jason Orenstein is currently studying for a Masters in Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
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By Jason Orenstein
July 25, 2004
I can't remember where I heard these words of wisdom from, but they certainly ring true today:
"There are two things one should never worry about: 1st, things that are beyond one's control, since if there's nothing one can do to change the situation, why make things worse by worrying. 2nd, things that are within one's control, since if one can do something to change the current reality, why waste time complaining, rather one should start doing."
There has been much talk in Israel of late over the implications and significance of the ICJ ruling on the fence, as well as the near unanimous anti-Israel UN resolution condemning Israel over the fence. What should Israel's response be? How seriously should Israel take these rulings and resolutions? How does it affect Israel's standing in the world and its place amongst the nations?
On the flip side of this coin, there has been precious little talk and coverage about the recent Nefesh B'Nefesh flight this past week, when over 400 North American Jews "chose" to make Aliyah and return home, in addition to the two and a half more planes that will be bringing the rest of the 1500 olim from North America in the coming weeks. Aside from an article here and there, or a brief spot on the evening news, it seems to have come and gone - passing almost as many Israeli Prime Ministers from office. All the while, over the last two weeks, not a day has gone by in Israel, without the public being subject to hearing over and over again about the corruption scandal involving former Shinui minister, Yossi Paritzky - as if government corruption is something we take pride in, here in Israel.
One must ask himself, in the long run, which of these two events will play a central role for the future of the State of Israel and the Jewish People in their ancient and eternal Homeland? Will it be the condemnation of the world towards the Jewish State for taking measures to protect its citizens, or will it be the turning of the wheels of the North American Aliyah revolution that is returning Jews by "choice" to their natural home, in the Land of Israel?
To answer that question I return to the opening quote. It is a reality, proven time and again, that the State of Israel and the Jewish People will never be accepted by the nations of the world, nor should that be our main national aspiration. It is of no surprise that the ICJ and the UN, both filled with individuals and backed by nations who have been outspoken against Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State, have issued such hypocritical rulings based on a perversion of justice and international law.
So what can we do about this, aside from just complaining that they are anti-Semitic or anti-Israel? What can we do other than bemoan the fact that EU is not really Israel's friend, or meekly thank the U.S., Australia and Micronesia for voting against the resolution, as if they are doing us a favor by standing up against judicial corruption?
The answer lies in promoting Jewish pride, and this can be done, in particular through Aliyah from the West. There is no clearer sign of the strength and vitality of the Jewish People today than Aliyah from the West. It is an Aliyah that does not come out of panic, but out of pride - Jewish Pride. It is an Aliyah that says, "America, we appreciate all of the good and prosperity that you have bestowed upon us, but it is time for us, the Jews, to go home." It is a message that is important for those still living in the Diaspora to hear - from those that are returning home, as well as being equally important message for those living in Israel to hear to remind them of why we are here, and why we are willing to go to great lengths to stay here.
There is another famous saying, "You can take the Jew out of Galut, but not the Galut out of the Jew." It is time for us to stop worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about the Jewish People and the Jewish State, and start doing things that are in the best interests of strengthening the Jewish People and the Jewish State in the Land of Israel. We need to make it clear to Jews around the world, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, that Eretz Yisrael is not merely a place of refuge, that it is not merely a place where we can mimic the culture of the West and become enlightened or emancipated Jews, but rather it is the only place in the world where the Jewish People can live as a proud nation in its Land, as the Jews were meant to live.
Aliyah from the West, from proud Jews is the best way to convey this message, and it is incumbent upon us, those who seek to create a Jewish State, based on Jewish values, spread this message both to our brothers and sisters who have not yet made Aliyah, and to our brothers and sisters here in the Eretz Yisrael, of the significance of the Aliyah Revolution.
Let us focus less on the challenges that we face here in Israel, and instead focus on how to overcome them. Let us move past the daily headlines of corruption, scandal and other signs of Jewish political weakness, and focus on matters that will promote Jewish pride, Jewish strength and Jewish identity.
We find ourselves living in a time of Eit La'asot - "A time to act." Let us act for the sake of the Jewish People, for the sake of the G-d of Israel and for the sake of the Land of Israel - and in doing so, we will be left with precious little time to worry about what the nations of the world think about us, while giving them ample time to worry about what to do with this proud nation, the Jewish People, who is returning boldly and proudly to its Land.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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