In a message dated 10/15/2007 12:41:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Shainsha writes:
I just signed an important online petition that calls for maintaining a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. I thought you'd be interested in the issue, and consider signing yourself.
You can find the petition at:
http://www.onejerusalem.org/sign.asp
Dear Shainsha the OU and One Jerusalem and friends, amv"sh
On the surface this petition looks wonderful. I am sure you of all people only meant well.
A concern I envision is that there will be a emphases to unite the Jewish Voice on our refusal to divide Jerusalem and insist it remains under Israel Sovereignty as the OU and as One Jerusalem has done and purposely omit condemnation of a Palestinian State altogether. This in my opinion is as bad if not worse than not voicing any protest against Dividing Jerusalem. In fact it's perhaps even worse. It sets the tone for compromise and negotiation. What if the negotiators decide to "compromise" and agree that it will not divide Jerusalem and keep it under Jewish Sovereignty but yes to establish a Palestinian State. They will call that a fair compromise. After all, the Jews don't seem to really care about Yesha only Jerusalem. Your Petitions only mentioned Jerusalem they say.
Yet if it was up to G-d, I believe G-d would say I'd rather have my Temple burnt down than see how Jews are willing to stand by the blood of their brothers and allow the destruction of beautiful communities with a terror state established in its place. Deja Vu expulsion of Gush Katif, but instead of only 10,000 it's now 500,000. I would guess that Hashem would say, before speaking eloquently about an undivided Jerusalem, don't divide the people of Israel. Apologize to your brothers of Gush Katif and vow never to allow such tragedy to happen again.
But again, the root is not even that. What's the point of having the Temple and the Temple Service if the Jews don't care at all for the Land of Israel and willingly give it away. They blatantly reject the Bible and the Covenant G-d has made with the Nation of Israel. Who needs their kind of service? If you want to focus on one item then insist that Yesha becomes a Torah Authority rather than the Palestinian Authority. If the State of Israel is not interested in Jewish Sovereignty for Yesha then allow Yesha to do it's own thing and become an independant separate Torah Authority. They will be better neighbors to the rest of Israel than would be a State of Palestine. They will love their brothers with all their heart and soul. Offer them at least the right to exist and defend their existence without getting in their way. IF you don't want to protect them, than at least don't fight them. They won't sent Kassam rockets your way unless in self defense.
If I forget thee Yesha I have already forgotten a living Jerusalem. Jerusalem w/o Yesha is simply a museum relic of the past. It says remember the Glory of the past but we're making sure this Glory won't repeat in our generation.
Jerusalem is a place to serve G-d for the Jews and the entire world. It means remembering G-d's Covenant with the Jewish people that they are the stewards of the Land of Israel whose borders are delineated in Parshas Masei. The people of Israel are obligated to keep the commandments. How in the world can the commandments be kept if you have willingly given away the Land showing contempt for the Torah. G-d then looks at Jerusalem and says FEH, don't trample on my courtyard! Leave! I don't need such service!
