I deeply appreciate the overall thrust of your writing, Rabbi, but would like to point out for your consideration what appears to me to be an inconsistency.
You wrote, ". . . demand the return of all Israeli hostages and all Palestinian civilian prisoners . . . "
Considering that many of the Israeli hostages were active duty military personnel at the time of their capture and many others were in military reserves, why would you call for *all* Israeli hostages to be released but only Palestinian civilian prisoners? Why not call for only civilian Israeli hostages and civilian Palestinian prisoners? or all Israeli hostages and all Palestinian prisoners? Your formulation seems to presume innocence for the Israeli hostages and guilt for non-civilian Palestinian prisoners.
"The confluence of MLK Day and Inauguration Day offers a powerful reminder that American values and Jewish ethics alike call us to active moral leadership. Rabbi Heschel taught us that "some are guilty, but all are responsible." The time for moral courage is now. Let history record that when it mattered most, we chose to live our values—that "Never Again" truly means never again for anyone." Thank you.
Thanks for writing this. It is a really good reminder that we need to show kindness and compassion to each other and never tolerate violence or discrimination. I have family in Israel and some close friends there as well. I've been so sad about Israeli foreign policy and the systematic and seemingly indiscriminate killing. And also sad about how my friend's children are spending so much time in bomb shelters. It's terrible to have this unrest. I hope and pray the ceasefire will be respected by both sides.
Thank you for this!
Thank you for this, Paul 🙏🏽
we are in this together
I deeply appreciate the overall thrust of your writing, Rabbi, but would like to point out for your consideration what appears to me to be an inconsistency.
You wrote, ". . . demand the return of all Israeli hostages and all Palestinian civilian prisoners . . . "
Considering that many of the Israeli hostages were active duty military personnel at the time of their capture and many others were in military reserves, why would you call for *all* Israeli hostages to be released but only Palestinian civilian prisoners? Why not call for only civilian Israeli hostages and civilian Palestinian prisoners? or all Israeli hostages and all Palestinian prisoners? Your formulation seems to presume innocence for the Israeli hostages and guilt for non-civilian Palestinian prisoners.
Thank you Rabbi David, I appreciate your keen eye. I edited to call for the release of all hostages and prisoners, your second option.
"The confluence of MLK Day and Inauguration Day offers a powerful reminder that American values and Jewish ethics alike call us to active moral leadership. Rabbi Heschel taught us that "some are guilty, but all are responsible." The time for moral courage is now. Let history record that when it mattered most, we chose to live our values—that "Never Again" truly means never again for anyone." Thank you.
Thanks for writing this. It is a really good reminder that we need to show kindness and compassion to each other and never tolerate violence or discrimination. I have family in Israel and some close friends there as well. I've been so sad about Israeli foreign policy and the systematic and seemingly indiscriminate killing. And also sad about how my friend's children are spending so much time in bomb shelters. It's terrible to have this unrest. I hope and pray the ceasefire will be respected by both sides.
Amein!
glad we are in this together