Thirty-five hundred years ago, the Egyptian Pharaoh, enslaved the Jews, and encouraged his armies to attack them, as they desperately sought freedom.  His tactics were very similar to those now employed by Hamas in Gaza. On the eve of Passover, they are amassing tens of thousands, including women and children, with the very same message, “It’s all the fault of the Jews (Israelis).”
Just like the Pharaoh, who forgot the fact that it was Joseph, who saved Egypt and its economy from total collapse, Hamas forgets and hides from the world that Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, opening the door for them to turn their Mediterranean city into a tourist oasis, living by democratic values, instead, just like the ancient Pharaoh, they chose terror and bloodshed, using women and children as human shields.
Perhaps, that is why, on Passover night, we never find the name of Joseph named in the Passover Haggadah, although he was the catalyst that saved Egypt. As a teaching moment and reminder to the entire world, that anti-Semites throughout the generations have never changed. They always remember to forget the good that Jews brought to their societies, and instead, use all their energies to blame the only people who can save them from themselves!
The Haggadah also reminds us that there are evil forces in every generation, which we must have the courage to confront. This year, the lexicon of hate includes BDS, and extremists from the far right in Poland, to the Farrakhans in our own midst.
Wishing you and yours a Chag Kasher V'Sameach - a Happy Passover,
Rabbi Marvin Hier
Founder and Dean
Simon Wiesenthal Center
|
