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Hezekiah's Tunnel - The Need to Stand Together ~ Rosh Hashanah Day 2, 5781

If you have ever waded in the water of Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem, you may have experienced one of the great moments of collaboration and communication of ancient times. While we all marvel at the grandeur of the old city, and how magnificent the Temple in Jerusalem might have been, this particular tunnel was of great significance. Hezekiah had this underground water system created as a means of protecting the inhabitants of the city, in the event that the Assyrians might close off the city, including the water supply. An inscription that dates back to the 7th century BCE at the tunnel south’s entrance reads:

And this is the way that the tunnel was cut through: Each man toward his fellow, and while there were still three cubits to be cut through, there was heard the sound of a man calling to his fellow, and there was an overlap in the rock on the right and on the left. And when the tunnel was driven through, the quarrymen hewed the rock, each man toward his fellow, axe against axe, and the water flowed from the spring toward the reservoir.

This massive project was as difficult as it was to build the bridge that is a part of the majestic view of New London, or the Big Dig in Boston. It required individuals, who despite the daunting task ahead of them, were willing to call out to his fellow man, and were willing to work side by side. I am certain that there were moments that the architects and the project managers experienced difficulties and impasses. The workers themselves must have at times became disillusioned and at times even been frustrated with one another. Yet, there was an ultimate goal. And when needed, they all put aside their differences to complete what was then a very important achievement.

Another Biblical construction was not as successful. You may remember the story of the Tower of Babel, one of the many first stories of creation. The end result was more important than the welfare of the individuals who were working on the project. G-d was so disappointed in human kind at that time, that as the narrative suggests:  if they could not work together in discussion and dialogue, even in their attempt to build a tower to the heavens, then they might as well simply speak in different languages, since that was what they were ultimately doing anyway. If human life and dignity, even for the laborers was not at the forefront of the project, then ultimately people needed to be separated from one another, with the hope of achieving a modicum of peace within different parts of the world.

Dennis Prager, a well-known author and Jewish radio personality in LA, once coined the following equation:

GI – W = E

Good Intentions minus Wisdom leads to Evil.

Most of us would agree with the equation. The question is how and when does this equation apply to a given situation.  If we return to the days of Abraham found in the Torah, the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah might simply be the most relevant.  When God shared with Abraham His intentions to destroy the entire cities, Abraham intervened by questioning G-d. But as Abraham learned, this was a community where there was not a minyan of ten righteous individuals. There was probably not even one. Why not? One commentary suggests “when the people of Sodom sinned, they did not even realize that what they were doing was wrong. In fact, they believed they were acting in accordance with the law… the laws of Sodom and Gomorrah.” Even if they had good intentions, the charter they stood by was contrary to what was considered or what we consider to be appropriate.

Abraham had it wrong…he needed to stay in the game and question God even down to the last righteous person. Might there have been one who had both the Good Intentions and the Wisdom to banish the evil in the world?

As a Jew, in this world, it seems rather difficult to witness the equation unfold, in more than one way.

GI – W = E: I hope that you are as troubled as I am by the lack of recognition of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in America or should I say the Globe. Abe Foxman, former head of the ADL, has strongly suggested that anti-Semitism may be compared to a virus. He said: “We’re living in an environment today that is more user-friendly to the virus,” … “a time of incivility, lack of tolerance, no respect for the truth.” And with it comes to politicization, polarization, frustration, anger, hate—all the elements that fuel the virus….The “firewalls” of protection that worked in the past—a common base of truth and facts, a shared consensus, fairness and accountability, a media that educates—“no longer have credibility. They’re gone…” It’s like a perfect storm.”

Bari Weiss wrote in How to Fight Antisemitism, we need to “call it out, especially when it’s hard.” When things are difficult, when those around us spew hateful rhetoric, that’s when we need to be sure to call it out rather than ignoring it. We need to respond directly and in the moment. Antisemitism is not some abstract concept ‘out there’; it is in the here-and-now and must be addressed. Journalist Yair Rosenberg recently said, “Fight antisemitism where you are. Not just when it’s politically expedient. It’s more credible-- and more effective.”

GI-W= E:  It is important that we stand up against the rise of anti-Semitism in America and around the world.  The reelection bid of anti-Semitic and anti- Zionist Omar Ilan in the Democratic party and the “rising star in the Republican party” candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene who aligns herself with QAnon on the Republican side is an important matter for a strong Jewish voice of condemnation against both.  Both of these individuals unfortunately, seem destined to be in Congress.  That is very troubling. The rise of Neo Nazi and White Supremacist activities, and voiced hatred, is something that every Jew must take seriously. The rise of anti-Zionists in Congress, who on a major level are equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, who use the age old “Benjamin” conspiracy within America, should not be dismissed as simply being ignorant. It is radical. It is dangerous. It should not be ignored!

At the same time, as Jewish tradition teaches, Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the United Synagogues and the Rabbinical Assembly wrote to rabbis and synagogue leaders that “when we see fatal results of prejudice and systemic racism, we must also give priority to those efforts.”  Perhaps that is why some 600 Jewish organizations recently sponsored an ad in the NY Times backing a movement that supports racial equality, an intolerance for racial bias not only amongst police, but in society in general. We may not totally agree with their support of the actual movement. We understand that there are organizations within the organization, that support the Palestinian cause, that support BDS, that may be anti-Semitic, blaming Jews for the racial inequality that exists.  The thought is that the silence of the Jewish community might create an even greater tension. At the same time,  “we can also agree that violent demonstrations that include the wanton destruction of property, arson and looting cannot be tolerated in a free democratic society.” As Rabbi Blumenthal wrote: “As we form closer alliances, we will also find opportunities to talk about our own concerns.

Perhaps the equal sign in the equation might in this instance be replaced with a progression sign or an arrow to the right with a goal of TO, Tikkun Olam.

May I suggest another answer to the equation when we change the symbol from minus to plus. GI + W may also progress to S…Shalom or perhaps GI + W = P – Prophetic.

As Jews, we need to stand up and  join one another and recite the words shehecheyanu, when we are witness to an El Al airplane landing on the tarmac in Dubai, and the pilot opens his window and waves three flags, one for Israel, one for the UAE and one for the US, despite the political timing of the event.  It conjures up memories of some 40 years ago, when Rabbi David Seed and I flew from Cairo to Tel Aviv on an Egypt Air commuter plane, less than a year after the peace accord between Egypt and Israel.  I was captivated by the pictures of a morning religious service in Dubai with Torah, tallit and tefillin.  As Saudi Arabia just opened its air space to Israeli airplanes, and Bahrain has also normalized relations with Israel we should really take a moment to marvel at the possibilities of a more peaceful coexistence for Israel and more of her neighbors.

“Although it was "off the record" – in a telephone call with rabbis on Thursday it was shared that the reason the Arab countries were interested in opening relations with Israel has to do with the US  retreat from the region, viewing Israel as an ally (and a major power at that) in the confrontation with Iran, and a sense that the Palestinians had exercised a veto power long enough. The Arab countries now beginning to establish relations with Israel, were tired of the Palestinian rejectionism.   Additionally, the threat of annexation gave the UAE the incentive to use that as a means of advocating for the Palestinians. That is why the annexation has to remain suspended and not cancelled --were it cancelled there would no longer be a reason for the other nations or for the Palestinians to come forward and negotiate. Israel of today is in a very different position than it was when Rabin negotiated Oslo, in that it is much stronger today than it was then and has much more to offer countries willing to partner with it. “

Yes, this thought is one that begins with the letter “P.” Prophetic… the prophetic words of Ezekiel may no longer simply be dreams. At the same time,  I am equally impressed by the motzei Shabbat, peaceful demonstrations that take place in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other communities, demanding change in Israel.

My friend and colleague Rabbi Daniel Pressman understands the equation in the following way: “We who love Israel must cut through the rock from our separate tunnels, because Israel needs us, all of us. We must carve our way through angry rhetoric and ideological posturing to true dialogue. We must call out to each other with words of reason and concern, seeking common ground.”

While Abraham walked away from the complex dialogue with God, sensing that the people of Sodom were using a value set that went contrary to what was just and right. As Jews in this America, that has been turned poom vakert, upside down, by political rhetoric and ideology, we need to stand together in support of one another even when we may vehemently disagree. As Cain finally came to understand in the Torah, we are our brother’s keeper. That may be the most correct sum of the equation in a positive manner. May we end not with the words as a question, but as an exclamation: I am my brother’s keeper.  Keyn yehi

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784