Are we seeing a miracle playing out in front of our eyes? If we could add a chapter to the bible, are we witnessing the content occurring in real time? Are we too close to see it?
A lot of you have been telling me about fears of what the uprisings and chaos in the Arab world portend for Israel and for Jews. We've all been seeing and hearing what is occurring. Most of you know me well enough to know that I approach religion primarily with historical curiosity and a respect for the traditions. Perhaps that is what leads me to think we are seeing the stuff that miracles are made of when looked at from a historical perspective.
In my lifetime we've seen other events that would be candidates for our new chapter: the establishment of the modern state of Israel, Israel's survival through several wars against overwhelming odds, the rescue at Entebbe, the advances in science and technology that come from that tiny country and from the relatively miniscule Jewish population worldwide.
Now we're seeing much of the Arab world that aligned itself against Israel and/or Jews erupting in chaos, fighting within itself. The ruler in Egypt has resigned and elections should be held later this year. In Libya there was an unconfirmed report as I write this, that the ruler has fled the country as a revolution is unfolding there. The revolution started in Tunisia, one of the smallest Arab countries, and became contagious. There is revolution underway now in Bahrain and Yemen, and protests in Morocco and Jordan, in what should be Kurdistan, and again in Iran. There must be concerns in Syria and in Saudi Arabia.
I do not know how it will play out but I can't overlook the irony that the Arab and Persian people are fighting to overthrow their own governments -- in order to be more like Israel. Miraculous?
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I sent the content of this blog entry to an eclectic list of friends and associates. As I hoped, I have received a number of replies. But I am the only one seeing most of those thoughtful replies. If I had used the blog in the first place everyone could see the comments, but I didn't think of it.
ReplyDeleteI am going to post the responses here, but since people did not know there replies would be made public I will make them anonymous.
Very well put. G-d may not always be fast, but the master plan usually comes true. I too have been watching these events unfold with interest, and amazed that we (Israel and the Jewish people) has not yet been blamed for any or all of these uprising.
ReplyDeleteWe hope we are! The young people in these countries have no future. The regimes are so autocratic/theocratic!
ReplyDeleteA transition – yes. A miracle – no. I find it hard to accept that the rape of a CBS reporter is part of God’s miracle.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Certainly an interesting dialog you again manage to start.
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteIt is a very interesting time.... Lots of unexpected shifts.... and hopefully in a good way.
Now that's an Op Ed piece worthy of the NYT.
ReplyDeleteBernie, while I would like to share your enthusiasm for what is occurring in the Middle East, and what some may characterize as the modern day equivalence of a biblical miracle, I am somewhat more cynical.
ReplyDeleteWhether we agree with our nation's past support (Fifth Fleet, Iraq Wars 1 and 2 etc) of secular monarchies...AKA dictatorships/Kings,Shah, etc., (thinking mistakenly it would keep our insatiable appetite for oil well served, as well as our relationship with Israel) instead of Islamic theocracies, there is no guarantee the overthrow of such non-democratic regimes will result in secular democracies, even with our government now appearing to align itself with "The People's Right to Choose".
Miracles are one thing; however, one must recognize Islamic fundamentalism has had a tremendous head start over democracy in this region, save for the democratic/ parliamentary protocols found in Israel, as we understand and practice its principles. I'm hoping that literacy, science, especially modernity, is sufficiently instilled in the young people of the region, to seek secular, not religious solutions to this transformative period in our global history.
I agree, Bernie. It would be wonderful if democracy breaks out in the Arab world. The building chaos with cries for freedom may or may not bring this result. My hope is that it will in at least some of the countries in turmoil. Even if old regimes were friendly to the U.S. or not a threat to Israel, I still think democracy in the region will be in Israel’s long term best interest as well. Democracies rarely start wars. A common wisdom, true perhaps, is that Israel is the foil used to drain frustration and anger over poverty and poorly run economies as well as lack of basic dignity. If these countries can improve their human and economic circumstances it should reduce their need to focus on an enemy.
ReplyDeleteAs Americans we should celebrate people striving for individual freedom. I have been disappointed that some conservative voices see only the chaos and risk and appear to me to be revealing their preference for order even to the point of authoritarian repression, a bit paranoid I think.
On the other hand, I wonder if anyone will give Bush credit for his “freedom agenda” expressed in his second inaugural address and articulated in the hope that Iraq might be a model for others in the region if it in fact went well. At the time he was roundly criticized for being naïve with most “experts” expressing the certain knowledge that democratic governments were not desired by or feasible for Arab peoples.
Apparently a lot of Arabs do wish such a society. I hope they get it.
The whole situation calls to my mind what e.e.cummings penned, "Miracles are to come. With you I leave a remembrance of miracles..."
ReplyDeleteVery interesting observation. Thanks Bernie
ReplyDeleteBernie, I've been following some similar thoughts on a Facebook site out of uk.
ReplyDeleteYou might find it interesting, too, at http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1699330334497
Miracles are hard to predict, that's why they're miracles, no?
Definitely miraculous, Bernie. Whenever I feel discouraged in my life, I think of Israel, and then my heart finds strength again. The existence of Israel is proof of a Living God. In their smallness, they have the greatness that all nations and individuals seek.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bernie, for a beautiful insight. I am passing this on to my husband who is a minister.
what a wonderful optimist you are , Bernie.
ReplyDeletePlease go to Google and check out the article "The Problems Egypt Still Faces"
I think the only hope is that the Egyptian army, which has close relations with the American army will keep order and prevent the radicals from taking control and hopefully encourage the growth of a genuine democratic movement. For years Mubarak allowed and even encouraged the Egyptian media to print anti-Jewish propaganda and cartoons maligning Israel and the U.S. There is no real western style democratic movement. An Egyptian election now could well end up with their version of Hamas in control
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for the people of Egypt and their neighbors. They have been through hell but they are not going to heaven now.
I thank God every day that I am an American.
Bernie, your comments are perceptively addressing the current unfolding global events. I appreciate how you initially are analyzing these issues that already have impact plus potential for more additional global developments.
ReplyDeleteI have been following these revolutions and have even been writing about my observations from considerable distance. Issues that I currently am assessing:
<> Autocratic power vs. human quest for responsible freedom.
<> Authoritarian patriarchy vs. liberation perspectives.
<> Traditionalism patriarchy vs. modern developments globally and locally right here in Dallas City and County Government!
My wife who is originally from Wisconsin and I are also watching the developments in Madison. The Princeton Economist, Paul Krugman who I met at Austin College, today has interesting analysis about American political developments about power vs. reality.
So let's keep dialoguing about observations that are unfolding both miraculously, traditionally and politically.
Would make a good sermon topic!
ReplyDeleteDear Bernie,
ReplyDeleteHere is today's devotioal from our former pastor, Dr. Jim Denison, now president of The Center for Informed Faith. His daily devotional is always filled with current news in light of historical biblical truths. You may want to subscribe. Today he mentions the contributions of Jewish people.
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=5369bb601ac44bfdda928110b&id=f4809c526f&e=90ff73e1fa
bernie - I like this! very provocative! why don't you submit it as a letter to the editor of the news paper? it should be read by many more -- and will probably reap some interesting response results (not all of them favorable to israel/jews, of course...but at the very least, it will get people thinking who might not think at all about this otherwise!).
ReplyDeleteWhile I wish with all my heart that all peoples of the ME and the world can live with freedom and acceptance of one another, I fear the reality poses great challenges to that outcome. In the end, I hope the aspirations of the Egyptian people are freedom and peace and that they have the ability to overcome the radical forces among them. We must not be naïve about the intentions of radical ideologues. They relish this opportunity to exploit the democratic process and rise to power.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=209102
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteSince you look at history, let me tell you what I see, as someone who has studied history and politics, and worked and lived in the EuroAsiaAfrican sphere. This is the second phase of a decolonization process. The first came was to free oneself from the foreign ruler. Now, with a much more educated (think of the changes in illiteracy and literacy percentages in the last twenty five years among both men and women) population, with changing family patterns (these young people are marrying later and having far fewer children), and access to information, it is inevitable that the second phase take place – freedom from the country’s own ruler. As you say, we do not know what that will lead to. Oh, yes, economic circumstances are important but it is the other three that are responsible for people actually not accepting economic, social and political givens.
Miracle ? Maybe. I am hoping for a real Miracle, when Israelis and Palestinians will stop hating each other.
ReplyDelete