The Adams Street Shul

Last Thursday was the fast of Shiva Assar B-Tamuz (“The Seventeenth Day of Tamuz”) which commemorates the breach in the walls of Jerusalem made by the Babylonians. It was exactly three weeks later that Jerusalem and the Holy Temple fell to the enemy. We commemorate these tragic events by abstaining from joyful activities and fasting on the day just mentioned, as well as on Tisha B-Av.

But this mourning is mixed with great hope because our belief is firm that our people will all return to their ancient homeland, the Holy Temple will be rebuilt, and peace will come to Israel and the whole world.

Only a few days ago, we were shocked again, as we had been so many times, when terror groups attacked us in Gaza and Lebanon. The kidnappings of soldiers and rockets into our civilian cities were totally unprovoked.  These barbarians who are killing each other in Iraq and hate each other in other Arab countries are united only in their hatred of Israel, the Jewish people, America and the West.

As was the case when Israel was established in 1948, in the Six Day War and in the Yom Kippur War, we must remain steadfast and strong. No matter how hard they try, they will never come near to vanquishing us. The Babylonian, Greek and Roman empires can only be found in dusty history books. The Nazis are dead, having only brought eternal disgrace to the German people. Communism is a concept of the past.

And Israel is strong and flourishing!

This must not be a time of fear. We must support Israel in every way we can. We must be ready to supply Israel with whatever it requires. And we must join in prayer with all our people and others of good will that the Guardian of Israel will show His might as He has always done.

As always, we will prevail!

Am Yisrael Chai!

--- Rabbi Norbert Weinberg