As many are aware, South Africa brought charges of genocide against the State of Israel in one of the legal bodies of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice. Arguments were heard, beginning yesterday. Because of time constraints, I want to make two quick points at this time: if this is a topic in which people have interest, it would be possible to explore this legal case more deeply and to explain more thoroughly my own evolving thinking on this historic and pernicious case, while also providing more sources for those who want to continue their own investigation. If this is a topic on which you would like to hear more, please reach out.
Interestingly, the secular new year, Tu B’Shevat, and our reading about the Exodus in the Torah all happen around the same time, so needless to say fresh starts are on our minds in January. Whether it’s a new food, a new exercise routine, or a new hobby, it’s helpful to have an excuse like the new year to explore those unchartered waters in our lives.
This week, much of the Jewish and general social media universe have quickly written about the meaning of Claudine Gay’s resignation as the president of Harvard University. There are people who view this as a victory in the war against antisemitism on college campuses, while others think this is a terrible result for Jews as it will be used by our enemies to exaggerate the strength and reach of Jewish power.
Here’s a question to ponder about our biblical narrative: what would have happened if, at any point, God had decided that the Jewish people were not worthy of redemption? Or worthy of receiving the Torah? It’s a question without an answer because it hypothetically negates the existence of Judaism altogether.
Click to view the April-June 2024 issue of Neveh Shalom’s Chronicle Please note that the file is large, thank you for your patience.
I want to invite you to imagine the ancient walls of Jerusalem surrounded as the Babylonians lay siege to the holy city. Nebuchadnezzar built towers around the city. For approximately two-and-a-half years, the city was cut off from the outside world. No one seemed to care about the Jews. In II Kings 25:1, we read that “by the 9th day of the [4th month] the famine had become acute in the city; there was no food left for the common people.”
This time of year, when it’s easy to find It’s a Wonderful Life on television (including a 24-hour marathon of the film), we can get caught up in trying to live up to some unknown standard of wonderful. However, what we’re all really seeking when our time has come is that people will say, “It was a full life.”
