UPDATE: Yeshivaworld.com has reported that Micha ben Roza has been given a second name and his family requests that people should daven for Micha Refael ben Roza.
Click here to read OU denunciation of the European statement adopted today which calls for Jerusalem to serve as the capital of two states.
In response to the Swedish proposal currently being debated by European Union foreign ministers in Belgium that would declare east Jerusalem the capital of a future Palestinian state, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Monday sent an official letter to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, in which he insisted that Jerusalem remain united "as the eternal capital of the State of Israel."
"Throughout the history of the world, there is not one important city that was divided that functioned successfully," Barkat wrote. "They either reunited or ceased to function properly. The lesson is too clear. Jerusalem must stay united."
Barkat added that "division focuses on differences rather than the common denominator that unites people of all faiths," and identified Jerusalem as "the heart and soul of the Jewish people."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1260181014599
Those of you who have read that the issue of a divided Jerusalem is being debated today in Brussels, did you read the article and cointinue to your next web page, business as usual?
I didn't. This morning, I resolved to pay extra attention to the blessing in the Amidah "Return to Your city Jerusalem in mercy, and establish Yourself there as you promised…Blessed are you Lord, builder of Jerusalem."
As I said these words in Hebrew with an extra intensity, I resolved to do something to show G-d that we deserve a united Jerusalem because we are a united people.
And so, when I read this morning about a man who is devoted to community affairs who is in serious condition after an accident on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, I said a chapter of Tehilim for מיכה בן רוזה (Micha ben Roza), hoping that he will have a complete recovery.
This past week, I read a disturbing quote from a former Israeli politician in reaction to Prime Minister Netanyahhu saying, "The settlers are our brothers."
The politician said, "But let me make it clear: They are not my brothers."
Mr. Politician, you are my brother, and we are all a family responsible for one another.
So, on this day, when the division of Jerusalem is at stake, let's focus on unity and seeing the positive aspects of one another. Let's remove from our websites the videos and articles focusing on divisiveness and let's do something to show G-d that we care about one another, be it saying a prayer for a recovery for Micha ben Roza, joining davenforme.org , buying a raffle to help fund ohrnaava (time's running out - only one day left), donating to a soup kitchen, visiting a person in the hospital or an old age home, etc..
And by all means, pray with extra intensity as you recite, "Return to Your city Jerusalem in mercy."
This is precisely the opposite of what must be done and it is this way of thinking which is delaying the redemption. We have a Torah obligation to battle against Amalekian thinking. We have a Rabbinic obligation to battle against the Erev Rav and both of them tell us to separate ourselves from evil, not embrace it in the hopes that it will change. We have sold our Torah cheaply and robbed it of its honor by accepting people where they are and not demanding from them a higher standard. This is touchy feely pop psychology masquerading as Torah and it's plain wrong. Hashem demands commitment and holiness. We misrepresent Him to our brothers if we do any less. And we will pay the price of that treachery.
ReplyDeleteSee The Key to Redemption.
I understand both sides. We need to do what's right, plus we need unity. Prayer helps because it unites us as we pray for each other and Jerusalem. Standing up for what's right is harder because people have different viewpoints. But we can educate people we so can all work towards bringing mashiach
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