Today is Shabbat Tekumah, the Shabbat that falls between Yom Hashoah, Holocaust memorial day and Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independance Day. Shabbat Tekumah is hard to translate but it could be "birth of a nation" Shabbat or "Establishment" Shabbat. It is the Shabbat that marks the transition from our lowest low to our greatest high, the re-establishment of Jewish political sovreignty after 2000 years.
We here in America are becoming a bit too estranged from Israel. For many, it's more fashionable to criticize than to support. For others, the reality of a strong Israel requires vigilent criticism to keep it honest and avoid the corruption that politics can devolve into. For some, the Jewish urge to protect the weak leads us to champion others since we do not perceive Israel as weak with the unfortunate side effect of turning our backs on our own people.
This week, let's remember let's try to remember or imagine a world without Israel, Jewish life without the strength Israel gives us all and let's remember to support Israel in words and deeds even as we are honest in fair criticism. The Salute to Israel parade is coming up, always fun. Start there!
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