Our tradition advises that these days between the 17th of Tammuz and the ninth of Av - especially the first nine days of Av - are described as ‘Bein Hametzarim’ or ‘In or between dire straits’ considering our historical calamities (the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls and destruction of our Temple and our sovereignty) during this time.
We don’t have to look so far into the past to apprehend the anxiety and dread of those 21 days.
As I described in last week’s message, Israel has, at long last and with unknown implications, taken the initiative in the war to remove the geostrategic noose Iran has been tightening around it since well before October 7th. Now we are far into the waiting to see how Iran and her proxies will respond. They don’t have many good choices, but in any case the likelihood of a larger conflagration has never been higher.
And as this plays out far away from here, we see Iran’s allies and other proxies acting against our interests right here. The campaign against Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s nomination as the Vice Presidential candidate for VP Harris demonstrates one important thing, again, as Ambassador Dr. Deborah Lipstadt has said. The Jewish people have antisemitic adversaries on all sides, from the left, right, and from religious fundamentalists.
To be clear - both parties have challenges with antisemitism. And Governor Walz has had a very supportive record on Israel and the Jewish community, no less than Governor Shapiro, or Senator Kelly of Arizona, who were also contenders. Those who worked hard to smear Governor Shapiro demonstrated one thing. Their contempt for the Jewish people, for Jewish sovereignty in our ancestral homeland, for Jewish pride, Jewish education, and Jewish values was more important to them than the electoral success of their party.
Many in the mainstream of Governor Shapiro’s party spoke out about this. And no Presidential candidate can afford a manufactured sideshow (in Chicago!!) going into a national convention. The Governor was gracious and powerful in his speech the other day. It will all play out, and these campaigns most often tack towards the center.
The part of this we ought to focus on is who did this, and who benefits.
Who conducted this campaign? Many in the media and academia, some in government, others in radical groups flying the false flags of manufactured righteousness. We’ve fought this adversary on the other side of the political spectrum. As I’ve written for many months, we have to recognize it and confront it wherever it presumes and pretends to stand for American values.
Who benefits? Those who want to do us harm or see us dead.
Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other proxies.
Those international institutions who put hatred of the Jewish state ahead of any other considerations, even saving lives. Yesterday I listened to former IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus describe a conversation Israel had with UNRWA, UNICEF, and WHO officials in the days after 10/7 BEFORE Israel’s ground incursion into Gaza. Israel asked them to help establish a humanitarian corridor and a safe haven for Palestinians from the neighborhoods and towns Israel was preparing to go into to find its hostages and fight Hamas. They said no. They refused. Not only do they have Palestinian blood on their hands, they have the basis for most of the condemnation Israel has received on their hands as well. Blood libel by refusal.
Those on our streets who violently attack us, vandalize our synagogues, threaten our neighborhoods, burn our businesses, shoot at our schools and use every fig leaf of free speech to spread hate and harm.
Those online - including many, many on both political extremes - who create a new lie and a new accusation every day, sharing it with millions.
And those who work to malign a good, popular public servant who happens to be a Jew and a Zionist.
Here’s the upshot. They are all on the same side. They often work together. Congress recently received a report from Federal law enforcement detailing how Iran has been funding the campus anti Israel movement.
The ninth of Av is remembered as the saddest day, when we lost our temple and our sovereignty. But it is also traditionally considered the day that our redemption will begin. We bring that redemption - in whatever terms you perceive it - by being the best we can be. By being kind, just, considerate, caring, responsible, strong, indefatigable, and united. By standing for and with each other. By strengthening our alliances. By never giving in to the dread we may feel.
May we all merit a complete redemption from all that fuels negativity and anxiety today, so that we can build a fulfilling and peaceful tomorrow.