bleak is as bleak does

Submitted by John W. McGinley (United States), Oct 10, 2007 at 23:12

Yes. Things are bleak indeed. Things have deteriorated SO much that things will probably HAVE to get much worse before they can get better. To focus in on Israel.

Its greatest danger is that it is losing its soul. Israel can survive without Zionism. What brought it into being (Zionism) is certainly not what will sustain it. The fact of the matter is that without a vibrant JUDAISM -- yes the religion -- Israel will not suvive as a Jewish state. But in s ome sense Judaism is in worse shape than even the nation of Israel.

The future of Judaism is with Orthodoxy. They -- both Khassidic and non-Khassidic -- are the only Jewish grouping with any credibility at all. The future of Judaism is with the Orthodox. If Orthodoxy fails its historical calling Judaism will simply implode in upon itself and then disappear. So too, Israel as a Jewish nation.

Orthodoxy's strong suit is its steadfast committment to the principle of halakhic fidelity. But it -- so far in its history (("Orthodoxy" is just as much a product of the Haskala as are those other groupings <including "secular Judaism> which have now become utterly irrelevant)) -- Orthodoxy has utterly failed to achieve the only thing wihch will save Judaism. What is that? Submission to the seal of Hashem.

There is not much more than a half century for Orthodoxy to do what it takes to achieve this submission. On purely rational grounds it would be a foolish person who would bet on Orthodoxy doing such or on the survival of Israel as a Jewish state. But where there is life, there is hope. Quiet subliminal miracles are already occurring among those who passionately care for Israel: the people, the nation, the religion. Nor do I discount the power of prayer.

Baruch Hashem!

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