- Rinat Yisrael of Plainview
Rosh Hashana Message
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- 9-11 AND THE JEWISH
PEOPLE
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- Rabbi Reuven Mann
Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Plainview, NY
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- It is difficult to believe that a year has passed since the numbers
9 and 11 became indelibly etched in the annals of infamy. We cannot
come to grips with the sadistic character of the horror we witnessed
with our own eyes. What evil movement would consign thousands of
innocents who had no connection to its "grievance" to a
sudden and horrible death?
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- We generally underestimate the full extent of human sadism. We
naively imagine that all people, especially those, who profess to act
in the name of G-d, have some element of "compassion." The
primary cause of the horrible explosions was the religious zeal of the
terrorists. On the surface, this is impossible to comprehend. Most
people associate religion with peace, restraint and compassion. Moslem
theologians continuously insist that the term Islam means submission
to the will of their deity. How can people who hold that faith act
with such complete cruelty and contempt for human life and the most
cherished institutions of advanced civilization? In my opinion, we are
very naïve about the real nature of "religion."
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- Throughout history people have had intense "religious
experiences." The danger of confusing one's personal
"vision" with the will of the Creator is very great. Most of
the wars of history were fought by competing religions seeking to
impose their theological falsehoods. Man made religion can be very
dangerous. You can tell that a religion is a human invention by the
behavior of its adherents. Their psychological insecurity about the
truth of their system compels them to act ruthlessly against
non-believers. Skeptics are a threat who must be forcefully converted
or eliminated.
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- The freedom to inquire and live by reason is the greatest danger to
religion because if the real origin of the doctrines were discovered,
the claim of divinity would be seriously compromised. Make no mistake
about it; the 9/11 criminals were not men of true religion. They were
cruel people in pursuit of personal glory in an imaginary paradise
whose souls were purged of any element of pity for human beings. Let
us recognize the fact that false religion can lead to the worst
horrors. Much crime has been committed by those who arrogantly claim
to speak in G-d's name. 9/11 ranks with the most heinous abuses of
religion in history! There is certainly much evil in the world. None
is worse than that which rationalizes itself in the form of
misbegotten "theologies."
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- Judaism stands apart from the religions of man. It is based on
submission to the will of G-d as He has revealed it to us, not as we
would like it to be. In Judaism, we strive to approach G-d through
recognition and appreciation of His Infinite Wisdom, which is revealed
in the world of nature, and in the ideas of His Torah. This produces a
certain humility and a sense of compassion for all of His creatures.
Judaism, unlike other religions, does not proselytize. We do not seek
to impose our views on others. Yet, the question arises: If we regard
the Torah as G-d's instruction to mankind, do we not have the
obligation to disseminate this knowledge? I believe that there is no
greater compassion than to educate people in the proper "way of
life." However, we cannot assume the role of missionaries. Our
national goal is expressed in the words, "And I shall be
sanctified in the midst of the children of Israel." Our wisdom,
behavior, kindness and commitment to justice in all situations, in our
personal and national dealings serve to sanctify the name of G-d and
draw mankind closer to His service.
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- Some have said that 9/11 gave religion a bad name. I say, it gave
false religion a very bad name. We must, in every area, use of our G-d
given intelligence to differentiate between the true and the false,
between darkness and light. Our task is to reflect the wisdom and
beauty of our religion of truth. Let us at this time renew our
appreciation of our eternal Torah heritage and rededicate ourselves to
our national mission of Kiddush Hashem, the sanctification of G-d's
name.
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- May you all be inscribed for a Happy and Health New Year.
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