One of the great verses of the Torah appears in our Parsha, Leviticus 25:10. However famous it was over the centuries, it was made even more famous when it was inscribed on the Liberty Bell housed in Philadelphia "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." This verse has often served as the text of sermons on the relationship of our Torah's ideals and our great country of the United States.
On the occasion of Israel's 60th anniversary last week on the Hebrew calendar and this week, May 14th on the secular calendar, I heard someone say "I love Israel because it is such a great democracy, our greatest ally in that whole part of the world." These biblical words "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land" ring true not only in the United States but surely in their own birthplace, the Land of Israel.
Let the fact that Israel is one of the greatest democracies in the world and our greatest ally in the Middle East ring louder and clearer for all to hear and know. The reality becomes clouded by Israel's too many detractors but Israel is in fact one of the greatest democracies of the world. Israel has a free and highly respected judiciary and one of the freest presses in the entire world. In a country known for more opinions than citizens, could it be any other way? With Israel's robust free press, there are more political parties than newspapers with Israeli Arabs as well as Jews duly represented in the Keneset. I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that there is no Arab population in any Arab country in the Middle East that enjoys the same democratic rights as Israel's Arab population.
You know the old expression, "two Jews, three opinions." The story is told of the first Israeli President Chaim Weitzman visiting the US President Harry Truman. Mr. Weitzman said to President Truman "Mr. President, you are the president of more than 200 million Americans. I am the president of some two million presidents."
I had lunch on Thursday with Pastor Jerry Paradise who is the associate Pastor of the Calvary Church on Philmont Avenue. Pastor Paradise lives in Deerfield North and so is a neighbor. He will be one of the participants in our Israel celebration Sunday evening. His own church, which often has Israeli speakers come to visit and has organized trips to Israel is also having an Israel celebration this Sunday evening. Thankfully, Israel has great friends the world over. Unfortunately, Israel also has its detractors worldwide. President Bush, before the Keneset, rightly criticized the United Nations for their never ending condemnations of Israel. Did the Security Counsel pass any resolution in the past weeks condemning the junta of Burma or Myamar for refusing to take international aid in the wake of their disasters. Thousands more lives are lost because of this inhuman position and the UN is silent. If Israel...... well, you know the end of the sentence. With all of the unspeakable horror and suffering in the world, why does Jimmy Carter focus his venom on Israel? It is because of Carter and others of the same ilk that Israel is not clearly perceived as the great democracy that it is.
In spite of these enemies and detractors, there is great reason for us to celebrate. We might say we must celebrate. In addition to celebrations in Israel itself, there are Israel 60 Celebrations happening throughout the world. I just learned that on the giant screen in Times Square, each hour another major celebrity will be featured with their good wishes for Israel on their 60th anniversary. Ohev Shalom is the address for Bucks County's Israel celebration this Sunday evening. Our featured entertainer Tzviya Wexler will be joined by our Congressman Patrick Murphy, Pastor Paradise, and the Israeli Consulate in this great tribute to Israel's birth, survival and tremendous accomplishments.
The world is in great need of these words and this ideal "Proclaim Liberty throughout the world unto all the inhabitants thereof." Israel, as imperfect as it is in a host of ways is a place where these words are alive and thriving. There is no other place like it in the Middle East. There are not enough places like it in the world. There is great reason to celebrate Israel 60, and I hope we'll be together in great numbers for this celebration Sunday evening. Tickets are available at the door. The celebration begins at 7:00 PM.
Shabbat
Shalom
