Close, But No Cigar....

Submitted by Dr. Steven Till (United States), Jun 29, 2004 at 09:50

Dr. Pipes:
As a long-time reader of yours, an observant Jew and a native Philadelphian, I have been generally impressed with both your erudition & your insights. There is a fundamental element in your analyses that begs mentioning. Our Jewish history, on the superficial, historical level is frought with the most obscene tragedies in the history of Mankind. However, as has been noted throughout history by even our most rabid pursuers, our survival is nothing less than miraculous. Indeed, writers from the curmudgeon Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) to secular American generals have noted that our continued presence on the world stage is most certainly the result of a "Greater Power". Now as an academic and a mainstream commentator I would not expect you to offer these thoughts to your readers, but nonetheless I feel that they would be at the very least helpful for you to know. There is a tradition in the writings of our Sages of blessed memory, "Lev sarim u'melachim b'yad Hashem..", meaning that G-d places the thoughts & impulses in the hearts and minds of the world's leaders to suit His plan. So while I still bristle at the thought that both Netanyahu & Sharon betrayed my vote (I'm a dual-citizen) it was to be expected. Our Creator was and is behind the scenes of ALL the acts in the great story of the Jewish people throughout history, driving it, as it were to the destination He Chose before the world was created.
It's safe to say there will be a happy ending.

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