The Wrong Jeremiah Is Heard

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

Introduction

I begin by stating that I am a born American. In fact my birthday is December 7th, a major date in the history of our nation as described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his famous “A date that will go down in infamy” sentence in a speech to the Congress of the United States as it declared war on Japan in response to the vicious attack on Hawaii.

I served my country during, what is referred to as, the Korean War era, and was honorably discharged, and even served more years in the reserves. I never saw combat but was stationed overseas as part of my tour of active duty.

I mention all this because I believe that my patriotism and devotion to the United States of America gives me the right to disagree with its policies, not only because of my contributions, but also because of my inherent right as outlined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

All this is to help make clear that, sometimes, even religious fervor has a rightful place in the discourse relating to political conclusions and dictates as they affect human dignity and human allegiance. This country was founded on the principle that free men, and women, have the obligation to speak truth even when it is contrary to most opinions. So spoke the Biblical Prophets in helping the people determine their moral requirements.

I speak as a simple human being, dedicated to the betterment of the human spirit in achieving fulfillment and salvation through faith. I am not so arrogant to believe that my voice is the only one that makes sense or deserves to be heard. It is a voice, among many, that seeks justice, not only for my people, but for all peoples. This is my calling.

The wrong message

During the presidential campaign we were told by candidate, Barack Obama, that even though he was a member and frequent attendee of Pastor Jeremiah Wright’s Church in Chicago, he never really heard what he said or accepted what he espoused. What was that? Hate!

His (Jeremiah Wright) sermons demonized the Jewish people and condemned the United States of America using descriptions that are too sick to print let alone speak. His words were not meant to encourage but rather discourage his own people who needed and deserved to be treated with respect. By exhorting these diatribes he, in fact, belittled his flock and showed great disdain for their intelligence.

This Jeremiah stood before his congregation and did not teach about God and love and forgiveness which are the duty and responsibility of clergy from all beliefs and persuasions, but rather disloyalty and disaffection. The New Testament expounds on the theory that you cannot claim to love God whom you have never seen and hate your fellow-man whom you are in contact with daily. The rest can be found in the dictum: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Somewhere this concept was lost as is his soul.

Sitting in the pews week after week, month after month, year after year, was a member of that congregation, the congregation with the wrong Jeremiah, named Barack Obama. Can anyone, for one instant, believe that we are capable of sitting through these venomous outpourings and not be affected?

Jeremiah, the true Prophet of God, the defender of his faith, the real Jeremiah, preached: “Do not listen what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” (Jer. 23) When people, claiming to be Godly, speak of alienation, they lead you in paths not directed by God. Such is the man who is called Jeremiah Wright. The wrong Jeremiah is being heard, and for sure the wrong message is being sounded

We are now witnessing the results of those years of misleading his people. No longer a candidate, no longer saying what people wanted to hear; now President Barack Obama is putting into action the words that have echoed in his mind for these many years. The United States of America is witnessing, first hand, the divisiveness being spewed to a public that has yet to understand, what the true nature of the man, the man who claimed to be devoted to bringing us together, is really all about. And if we disagree we are labeled “racist.” The question is really: Who is the racist?

How can we be expected to come together as one people when our leader demonstrates, time and again, the lack of commitment to this concept? You cannot achieve success on the backs of those you condemn. Denigrating one does not give sanctity to another.

The blessing and the curse

To dispel all issues about dual-loyalties, let me here and know state unequivocally that I am committed to the security of our country, to the principles in which it was founded and the concept of pluralism that is the hallmark of its greatness as are all Jewish Americans.

That does not mean that I do not have a spiritual and historical tie to Israel, its people and its significance as it reaches to proclaim its inalienable right to survival. The two are exclusive.

I understand, full well, the intent of our president, to reach out to the entire world and attempt to connect with all mankind to ensure humanity’s survival. I understand, as well, the need for our country to stretch out its hand in friendship thus encouraging all people to realize their potential.

I understand, only too well, the desire for all people to live in peace and security. None should be afraid of their neighbor or live in fear for their lives. To accomplish this requires great fortitude and courage but above all strength of purpose surrounded by truth.

What I don’t understand is that there are those who believe that to accomplish all this requires some to be sacrificed on the altar of misplaced allegiance, while undermining the security of others. What I don’t understand is that ignoring past alliances and commitments because of an attitude toward looking at what should be rather than what is, will not, in the long-run, achieve salvation or survival.

We deal with reality, not supplant it with dreams that have no basis in fact. We speak to the issues with clarity and understanding not with disdain and ignorance of fact. We can’t be called “honest broker” if we truly do not believe this to be our mission. We should not insult our friends to find favor with our enemies.

Scripture makes it very clear when it states: “Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed.” (Gen. 12:1-3) That does not mean that a blank check is given to obtain the blessing instead of the curse. What it does mean is that we have an obligation, a sacred trust, to ensure that the People of Israel are secure in their homes and accepted among the nations of the world as living proof of the redemption that has arrived because Israel lives and will continue to live long after all others have vanished. History records this truth.

Friendship means peace and respect

When the Prime Minister of Israel is a guest in our country it is expected that he will be treated with the dignity accorded all heads of state, especially allies and friends. The lack of regard for Benjamin Netanyahu was an exercise in disdain and contempt. One only has to witness our president’s acceptance of Hugo Chavez, an avowed dictator and enemy of our republic, to realize that friendship is not the requirement for acknowledgement, but insistence on extending a welcome hand to all who profess to hate us. As though a gesture or a handshake or a smile will change feelings and make everything right.

To add insult to injury, we are now witnessing our president welcoming, with open arms, a man he despises, the president of Afghanistan. He is wined and dined and even dined with Vice President Biden and his family. This is a man whose hands are drenched with Poppy lava. This is a man who has disdain for our country and even said so. This is a man who represents a country where our men and women have shed their blood to support and keep afloat.

Not one single member of our armed forces has fought or died for Israel. The only thing we have done over the years is support the rights of people to live in peace and tranquility through their own efforts. And yet, we are told by our government that the loss of American lives can be attributed to the intransigence of the Israel. How utterly ridiculous and even laughable.

We do not murder innocent people because of their religious identification. We do not behead people to throw fear and to intimidate. We don’t send our children strapped with bombs to blow-up innocent men, women and children in the name of some mistaken belief that this will bring about capitulation.

In all my years I have never seen such a display of childishness and arrogance. The United States of America was the first country in the world to recognize the legitimacy of the re-birth of Israel. For 62 years we have stood by this country, born from the ashes of despair, to assist in its desire to become a nation of laws and acceptance.

No president, no administration, has ever turned its back on the right of Israel to survive in words and deeds. We, the American people, are responsible for the success of a nation that opens its hearts to all who hunger for freedom and nobility.

No nation is perfect and Israel is no exception. Democracy is an experiment and is in a continual state of flux. That is one of the hallmarks of democracy. It is a never ending attempt to adjust to current modes and trends so that it grows. Our Constitution is living proof of a journey into human salvation by constantly interpreting its message as determined by the Supreme Court. That is called the rule of law. And we are a nation that prides itself on the adherence to law and the benefits derived from that understanding of human behavior. Treating a friendly head of state with such contempt does not speak to this.

Friends disagree at times and even have arguments. But friends understand, as described in a famous Hasidic folk saying, that each may have faults but if you are looking for a friend who has no faults, you will have no friends. Most of all friendship means that you are concerned for the peace and security expected from that relationship.

The impediment to lasting peace

We are constantly led to believe, and the main stream media is part of this conspiracy, that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved by Israel conceding everything in exchange for nothing. For example: The Oslo accords. Analyze all that has happened since those documents were signed. Peace was never achieved; battles are constantly fought; Palestine is still a dream because the intent was not to live in harmony but rather to continue the armed fight for total domination; corruption and in-fighting exists between factions of terrorist organizations. The net result of this accord was the systematic arming of people determined to annihilate a sovereign nation from off the face of the earth as stated in its manifesto.

Prime Minister Menacham Begin who built his reputation as a fighter knew that to achieve lasting peace there must be a partner in that quest and there must be compromise attached to that completion. The Sinai Peninsula, filled with mountains of much needed oil, was returned to Egypt. This country who made war on Israel during its holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, finally realized that war was futile and President Anwar Sadat made a historic trip to Jerusalem, not Tel Aviv, to convey that message.

During President Bill Clinton’s term in office a serious attempt was made with Prime Minister Ehud Barak to concede 97% of the West Bank and all of Gaza, and the division of Jerusalem, to appease the critics who constantly claimed that Israel was not forthcoming or reliable as a partner for peace. The result of that gesture was a complete rejection of what would become, if enacted, a troublesome episode in Israel’s history. But Israel was willing to take the gamble and move forward for final peace and security.

Since that time new obstacles have been placed in the road to independence for a people in great need of redemption and dignity. Now we are told that settlements are a deterrent – settlements being built on Israeli soil and agreed to by past United States administrations. A new glitch has been added – the return of those who left Israel during the War of Independence. People, I might add who were told to leave because after the defeat of Israel they would be welcomed back to a land free of Jews.

Time and again the stakes are re-adjusted to accommodate new thoughts and new ideas to complete the task of “driving the Jews” into the sea that could not be accomplished by military means.

The list is endless and the results the same. No peace. No statehood for Palestinians. No serious effort on the part of the world to act as peace broker without intimidation and fear. The only exception has been, until now, the United States. Our country has made every effort to establish a clear understanding of what is required for lasting peace and fulfillment.

Inspiring terrorism

We are at a crossroad right now. We can continue to stand for justice and freedom or we can maintain the path undertaken to inspire people of ill-will to make war and destroy the very essence of humanity’s desire for tranquility.

By displaying an outright hostility toward a friend the universe will probably see itself embroiled in a conflict that may not be possible to correct. We see this with our attitude toward Iran and North Korea. Soon these rogue regimes will succeed in creating fear throughout the world when they join the nuclear club of nations. Their attitude and behavior suggests that they will not be contained or restricted in their determination to annihilate Israel. They now are engaged in bringing into their sphere of influence another rogue nation such as Venezuela.

This sphere of influence will not diminish but grow and get bolder as we attempt to undermine the viability of Israel. Can there be no doubt that once the world thinks the United States will no longer be considered the defenders of a free Israel, there will be chaos unmatched in human history?

By turning our back on the very ideals and principles for which we are known we encourage violence and regret; the violence of murderers and terrorists and the regret of friends who once thought we could be trusted.

Where is the unifying credential that elevated our president to his office? Where are the deeds that should be part of the constant reminder of our dedication to the survival of Israel? Where is the still small voice that repeats and repeats the words of the Prophet Jeremiah: “You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts.” The Prophet, the true Prophet was his cry to those who profess to speak for God but speak falsely and wickedly.

This should be our answer because in the words of the Prophet Micah: “What it is that God expects of you? To do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with God.” And what better way is there to accomplish this than to be what we say we are and to do what we say we will do in honesty while searching for fulfillment.

Israel is our friend and we need all the friends we can get for one simple reason: We are not perceived as being honest or trustworthy. As a citizen, as a person of faith, as a human being drawn to the Divine, I simply state that we need to remember our roots and our heritage as a nation dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is not only our right but something we fought for and died for on behalf of all humanity.

Let us resolve to listen to the right Jeremiah in that it will be the answer to our survival. Let us not feel threatened to speak out in an attempt to correct the wrong. We are Americans. This is our calling.

A Woman of Valor

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

In both May and June we celebrate two holidays dedicated to parents: Mother’s Day in May, and Father’s Day in June.

However, perhaps, we should concentrate on Mother’s Day. Not because they deserve more attention, but because they are the dreamers and the toilers in the never-ending process of growth and development. Father’s start the chain of events leading to our birth, but Mother’s nurture and sustain us as we grow into parents ourselves.

In the Book of Proverbs we are taught the beauty and value of women and their indispensable role in the conduct of creation. “A woman of valor, who can find? She is more precious than fine pearls. Her husband trusts in her, and so he lacks nothing. She does him good, never harm, all the days of her life. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband sings her praises. She speaks with wisdom; the law of kindness is on her lips.”

So central to life’s values, people of all faiths have always recognized that women were not inferior but rather equals in completing the task given us by God. Scripture is filled with the exploits of women who have been in the forefront of faith-based activities which included social justice and conscience.

But perhaps the most significant role is that of a mother. She played with us when we were young, nurtured us during times of trouble. She is a calmer of fears, compassionate, understanding with unconditional love.

We watch her grow old and become bent, but her children, well, they are tall and strong and had courage beyond their beliefs because of her fortitude and example. Her lips are always filled with encouragement.

Sometimes it is painful for us to remember our mothers who are no more because we knew, as the journey concluded, that she realized the end was better than the beginning because her children walked with dignity and pride as a testament to her love and caring.

Sometimes we wish that if we could only see her once more or touch her brow with a kiss, we would feel more comfortable and safe. Well, we do have that moment and it is called memory and because of memory she remains a living presence.

The Book of Proverbs said it best and all we can do is echo those hallowed words as we pay tribute to the past and the savor the time we still have with our mother here and now.

“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she faces the future cheerfully. She reaches out to those in need, and extends her hands to the poor. Many daughters have done valiantly, but she excels them all.”

Remember, you can find all this in her smile, her laughter, in every tear drop she sheds watching her children grow and their children as well. She was our first love, our best friend, and we can never be separated from her – not even in death.