meth@csd2.UUCP (Asher Meth) (12/06/85)
As Jews, we are responsible for *all* our Jewish brethren, wherever they are. Note the Israeli "taking-in" of all Jews from *anywhere*, all at Israel's own cost. This is ingrained in us, as our Rabbis learned from the extra dots appearing over the words "Vehaniglos lanu ulevaneinu ad olam" at the end of the first part of Parshat Nitzavim (toward the end of Dueteronomy) - this teaches us that "kol yisrael 'areivim zeh lazeh" - all Jews are responsible one for the other. Dave Sherman wrote in response to Chedley Aouriri (that's an interesting name; I wonder what it means? where is this person from?) : ======================================================================== > In 1979, when Khomeini came >to power in Iran, about 35,000 Jews got out while they could. >Israel took them in. This past year, Israel rescued something like >17,000 Ethiopian Jews from death by starvation. This new influx >is putting even more pressure on Israel's strained finances, >but the task of rescuing Jews is the very foundation of Israel's >existence. ======================================================================== This virtue (of caring about the other person) is naturally found between close family members, say brothers (sisters, too :-) ). Hence, the word "brethren". This should (logically) extend to persons of the same national or religious origin. Think of it this way - it is only logical for an American (place any other natinality here, too) travelling abroad to check-in with his local American embassy in time of trouble or need. The Foreign Service people are there to help any American "brother". Now, let's extend this to Arabs. Why did the Arabs wake up after '67 and start screaming "Palestinian nationalism", "Palestinian self-determination" ? Where was their brotherhood *before* '67 ? What is the extent of their "heart-warming" love one for the other ? (Assad *really* and trully loves Hussein; Assad also loves Arafat; and they have spilled many gallons of innocent, and not so innocent, blood proving their love; and they all loved Sadat, especially after he made "peace" with Israel.) Why don't they offer to take in their homeless brothers, who roam as refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel ? Especially after they promised them in '67 - we are going to throw the Israelis into the sea, and you (really we, or even I) will have the whole country to yourselves; therefore, leave your homes for a few days while we take care of the job. Do the other Arab countries (and their leaders) *really* care about their brethren ? Or is it just a political ploy to try and "throw the Jews into the sea" ? I am more inclined to believe the latter, for there are many ways the others could have and can show their brotherhood that are not even being explored. Asher Meth ....... meth@nyu-csd2.arpa ....... allegra!cmcl2!csd2!meth ********************************************************************** As a postscript, I include the following : Yosi Hoshen posted a letter sent to the Ann Arbor News on 4/13/75 by Aviva Mutchnick. ======================================================================== > The situation of Iraqi Jews deteriorated when Israel was proclaimed >a sovereign state in 1948. Even though Jews were considered second class >non citizens, they were not allowed to emigrate. Those who attempted to >flee were caught and hanged in the public square. > Iraqi Jews were finally allowed to depart in 1951, but were not >premitted to take any possessions except the clothing on their backs. >These hapless 125,000 victims were accepted by Israel with the full >realization the economic hardships would effect the fledgling nation. >.......... > Within two decades, the situation changed. All refugee camps >disappeared as the former Oriental Jews were assimilated into the fabric >of the new Israeli society. Problems remain, inequities occur, but all >Israelis are geared to sacrifice for the common good. >.......... > In Israel the refugees from Arab States now control their own fate. >They are no longer a repressed minority subject to the excesses of >tyrannical Arab governments. > How ironic that Arab refugees from Israel were placed in detention >camps by there brethren. How regrettable that they were denied the basic >human rights of other Arab citizens in the host countries. > Israel has succeeded to well with her refugees as she responded out >of need and deep love. The ingathering of repressed Jews continues. ==========================================================================