Our shul, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, has had its share of “Hall of Fame” baalei batim: members who were loyal, dedicated, and wise – members who are beloved not just by peers but by the rabbi, as well.
One such member was Rabbi Shlomo Leibler z”l. Rabbi Leibler was ordained as a rabbi, and early in his career taught Torah. “Reb Shloimie,” as he was known, also had a good head for business and a keen sense of judgment in all matters. For that reason, my father would often call upon him to get his input navigating a difficult situation or a Torah thought.
It was sometime in the mid 1990s, at a point when the Oslo Accords seemed to be taking hold and things were relatively quiet in Israel, that I asked Rabbi Leibler his thoughts. In the longer version of Tachanun, which is recited every Monday and Thursday morning, we beseech G-d to save us from our multitude of oppressors. Toward the conclusion of that prayer, we state, “…and we have become a source of mockery and derision among the nations, ready to take us to the slaughter. Yet we have not forgotten You…”
I wondered, to Rabbi Leibler, if perhaps at this time, when things are quiet and Israel seem to be respected in the world, we should consider skipping this prayer in the meantime.
Rabbi Leibler was quick in his response with his brows raised. “Rav Yoel,” he said, “just wait until the next time the United Nations convenes, and you will see if things have really changed.”
How right he was! Look at the disgraced United Nations. We now know that not only were they not helpful in maintaining peace in Gaza and Lebanon, but they actually aided and abetted the Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists by covering for them through UNRWA. Countless UN agents participated in the October 7 massacre. In a normal world, that would have discredited them forever. And this indeed has been the pattern of the UN in all its years of existence. We are now learning that the current leftist British government is donating an additional $25 million to these terrorist enablers!
The world and the UN have condemned Israel in every which way possible for defending themselves. The number “40,000 civilians” is the standard for accusing Israel of genocide. We know that even if most of that number were true, the great majority were terrorist combatants. But let us not confuse the world with facts.
Does anybody know how many were killed in Russia’s naked war of aggression against Ukraine? Does anybody care? Although it’s hard to get an exact figure (since nobody is watching), the reports are about 500,000! No genocide. No ICC. No war crime charges. No UNRWA. No meaningful UN actions. Nada.
The most remarkable description of the United Nations was penned some 3,000 years ago by King David.
Psalm 83, at the very beginning, declares, “Behold Your enemies are in an uproar, and those who hate You have raised their head. Against Your nation they plot deviously, they take counsel. They said, Let us cut them off from nationhood so Israel’s name will be remembered no more.”
This could have been the front page from yesterday’s Times. Instead, it is from an ancient and divinely inspired piece of literature. The truth about the Jews remains eternal.
The Midrash (Tanchuma Toldos 5) tells us that the Jews are like a sheep that dwells among 70 wolves. Is that description still not accurate today?
Truthfully, I fully get why some people have problems with religion. Who do not occasionally have their doubts? But when you glance through Jewish history and its consistency throughout the millennia, I do not get how Jewish people could not have faith.
Psalm 83 concludes, after the nations are humbled, with “They will then know that You Whose Name is Hashem, are alone, Most High, over all the Earth.”
We know the Day of Reckoning will come, and those 70 wolves will be tamed and begging for our forgiveness.
Rabbi Leibler’s words – “Just wait for the next time the United Nations convenes” – ring with me almost every day of the year for over 30 years. May we merit to see the return of all the nations (I believe the United States will have a lead role) to Hashem Whom we love.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
