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Unknown said...

To Vote or Not to Vote; Is That Really the Question?
By
Dov Avraham Ben-Shorr

“By Not Voting, One is Voting for the Left.” That’s what all the big banners in the settlements state. Yet, to my mind, if one votes, no matter whom one votes for, one is also “Choosing the Left.” There is no qualitative difference between the so-called Left and Right of Israeli politics. Even “Katzaleh” will recommend to Peres that Netanyahu should be the Prime Minister. So a vote for the National Union, or any other party on the “right,” is a vote for Binyamin Netanyahu.

I don’t want to choose Netanyahu to be my leader. He isn’t any different from Sharon, Barak, Livni, or Yossi Sarid. He differs only in style. None of those leaders understood what it means to lead a Jewish nation. Frankly none of the candidates for Prime Minister, past or present want to be the leader of a Jewish nation. In fact, such a concept scares them, and is an anathema to their lives.

“Oh,” you’ll say, “We need to work with what has a real chance. We need to make the best of a ‘less than ideal’ situation.” Many people fear that a “left wing” politician will make political concessions that a “right wing” politician won’t. History proves otherwise. The reality might be that only a hawkish politician would have the clout to make real concessions. That’s what happened with stalwart “hawks” like Begin, Rabin, Netanyahu and Sharon. Netanyahu’s only saving grace might be that he is not considered hawkish enough to give away our national inheritance. He’s already used his clout when he gave away most of the hills surrounding Hebron. However, given his values, I’m sure he’ll find a way to “make a deal,” clout or no.

“Yes but, what about hishtdadlut?” the religious apologetic will intone. “Aren’t we obligated to make an effort in this world?” “Hishtadlut,” the battle cry of the religious movers and shakers seems to stop all other arguments in their tracks. For every red blooded Jew who dons a kipah or wears a skirt knows that we are obligated, actually religiously mandated, to make an effort in this world. “Act as if it all depends upon you, while recognizing that it is all in His hands.”

Yet, this true Torah concept, when not bandied about as a slogan, is the religious man’s pitfall. For true “hishtadlut” is only mandated when it is in consonance with the goal, and does not conflict with HaShem’s Will. Any effort that violates His Will, or even skews our achievement of the goal, would be, at best, misdirected energy - wasted seed. At worst, it would be akin to serving false idols.

The effort does not bring the goal. To suggest otherwise would be a blasphemy. We are required to strive, but the results are not a direct result of our efforts. We do not flip a switch, turn a dial and get the result that we seek. I can make every effort, strive with all my strength, and still not achieve the desired results if He does not Will it, even if the reality of the situation would suggest otherwise. At the same time, I can make minimal effort, or strive through non-corporeal means, and if He Wills, then the results will come. That is the essence of Faith. Our actions do have an effect, but their effect is in and on the Heavenly Court. Results, or more precisely the perceived results of our actions, are purely His domain.

Therefore, it is very important that my efforts are in consonance with Torah values. I need to conform my will to His Will. The more successful I am in doing so, the greater the chance will be that HaShem will bring about a realization of the goal.

And what is the goal, when we are talking about establishing political leadership?

As a Torah observant Jew, the goal is not a quasi-democratic judicial oligarchy that is ambiguous at best, and hostile at worst (more often than not), to Jewish values.

The goal is a realization of HaShem’s Will for His People as stated in the Torah. While it’s possible that the details of such a realization are open to form and function, it minimally consists of society that promotes its own realization as a Jewish Nation, and not merely a nation, whose majority is Jewish. The goal is a leadership whose decisions and legislation is consistent with Torah values, and certainly not antagonistic to those values. It is not a state of “all of her citizens,” unless of course, all of her citizens are Jewish.

So, in answer to the question, “Are you voting?” my answer is, “yes.” I’m voting for HaShem, for the realization of His Will. I am actively not participating in the State Israel’s national elections. Not out of despair, or lack of concern, but as a purposeful act of faith, and demand, of the Heavenly Court. May my efforts be a ballot cast in favor of true leadership who will redeem our People.

Tue Feb 10, 06:24:00 PM 2009

Anonymous said...

When Katrina hit in the US, there was a man caught in the resulting flood.

A boat came by and said they came to rescue him, the man thanked them, but said that he is waiting from salvation directly from God, and passed on their rescue efforts.

Then a helicopter flew by and said they came to rescue him, the man thanked them, but said that he is waiting from salvation directly from God, and passed on their rescue efforts.

A few more rescue teams came by and said they came to rescue him, and the man thanked them all, but said that he is waiting from salvation directly from God, and passed on their rescue efforts.

Eventually the man drowned.

He got to the gates of Heaven and complained, "Why didn't you save me God? I placed all my trust in you!"

God replied, "My son, I sent you a boat, a helicopter, and multiple rescue teams, what more did you want me to do?"

Tue Feb 10, 06:56:00 PM 2009

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