Hurricane Katif - err Katrina and Modern Day Pharaohs
Anyone following the Jewish Blogosphere or simply reading the Jewish and Israeli papers is fully aware of a heated debate about whether or not Katrina was retribution for the United States pressuring Israel to ruthlessly destroy beautiful, flourishing Jewish neighborhoods and render thousands of Jews homeless and jobless.
I’ve decided NOT to point out all the naysayer blogs by linking to them. Although I have found that Akiva has posted a nice list of them.
Nevertheless, it should be stated that even if G-d himself rearranged the stars in heaven to spell out “Duh! What Do You Think Katrina Was For? I Said It Before And I’ll Say It Again: ‘Those Who Curse Abraham Are Cursed And Those Who Bless Abraham Are Blessed!’” There would still be people – most people in fact – that would say “nah, that’s just an astronomical fluke.” (Yes, pun intended – thank you very much!)
And so even, as Sultan Knish points out, when the AP writes Deja Vu stories about forced evacuations.
And even, as Akiva posted, with an astonishing Torah Code (you got to admit it IS astonishing).
And even when Aaron Klein from WorldNetDaily lists a whole host of other connections (a real must read!) we’ll always have people like Knesset Member Eliezer Cohen (National Union) saying things like: “I know meteorology well enough not to believe such rubbish,”
But then again this is not the first time mankind has hardened his heart...
And the L-RD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying: Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.' And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as the L-RD had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their secret arts. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the L-RD had spoken. (Exodus 7:8 – 13)
Why even if the seas become full with blood!
And the L-RD said unto Moses: 'Pharaoh's heart is stubborn, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand. And thou shalt say unto him: The L-RD, the God of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto thee, saying: Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness; and, behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened; thus saith the L-RD: In this thou shalt know that I am the L-RD--behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.' And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.' And Moses and Aaron did so, as the L-RD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their secret arts; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the L-RD had spoken. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart. (Exodus 7:14 – 23)
Pinchas pointed at 11:03 AM
6 Comments:
1. Im confused why hashem would punish the poorest people in the united states for the sins of Bush. These arent his voter base. Wouldnt it be more appropriate that hashem send a hurricane to destroy Dallas.
2. If anything retribution should happend on sderot, because sharon initiated this evacuation, one in which Bush actually said was not a good idea initially. I didnt realize how fast revisionist history happens, where the facts are changed while they still are warm
3. And the destruction of the jewish community in New orleans, who support israel, who supported the settlers, is for what purpose and what message?
3. And the Tsunami is punishment for what?
I really think its outrageous to take comfort in the destruction of peoples lives simply because your life was disrupted.
Think about it, American Jewry basically sat silent during this evacuation, and hashem destroy new orleans?
1. You’re confused why Hashem would choose to punish perhaps the most immoral city in the US?
2. Bush said it was not a good idea!? Whose revising history now? Read up on this: http://www.mideastweb.org/disengagement.htm The plan was based on Bush’s Road Map and Bush congratulated the plan from the start. You could read Bush’s letter to the Prime Minister yourself.
3. The same message for all American Jews. Come on Home! Read this open letter: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/article.php3?id=5531
4. Whose taking comfort!? Heaven Forbid! But we are taught the when one is being punished it is time to examine ones deeds and the repent any wrong doings. The fact that people brush off this catastrophe as a “natural” occurrence that had nothing to do with G-d is purely heretical.
I think you're right in that we have to at least consider the concept, but I think it's done on a higher level (I would think that Hashem would be far more annoyed at our constant desire to control his natural weather patterns and destroy Earth in other ways, but you know me).
I'm leaning toward the idea that we may very well be connecting the hurricane itself to what resulted, and somehow I don't see G_d taking credit for the ball we dropped (although it can't be denied that he certainly ALLOWED it to happen).
Interesting points you brought up.
The gemera in yevomos (i believe 63b) says explicitly that all punishments that happen to the goyim are a warning to the jews to do tshuvah. It is not a punishment for what the goyim did to the jews, but a warning for jews to see what hashem can do, and repent.
So saying that this was a punishment for the gaza withdrawel is against what the gemerah explicitly says.
In addition, I say again, i personally think Tel Aviv is more immoral than New orleans, because its a city of jews who choose to live in sin with prostitutes and gay bars. Its simply mind boggling that you would link the two events.
The Gemera says a lot of things. In fact on Yevomoth 63B it makes no mention of anything you talked about. It's does talk about how bad women are though:
"Rab Judah was reading with his son R. Isaac the Scriptural text, And I find more bitter than death the woman. When the latter asked him, 'Who, for instance'? — 'For instance, your mother'"
And Tractate Kethuboth, 110B says this:
"Our Rabbis taught: One should always live in the Land of Israel, even in a town most of whose inhabitants are idolaters, but let no one live outside the Land, even in a town most of whose inhabitants are Israelites; for whoever lives in the Land of Israel may be considered to have a G-d, but whoever lives outside the Land may be regarded as one who has no G-d. For is it said in Scripture, To give you the Land of Canaan, to be your G-d. Has he, then, who does not live in the Land, no G-d? But [this is what the text intended] to tell you, that whoever lives outside the Land may be regarded as one who worships idols. Similarly it was said in Scripture in [the story of] David. For they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave to the inheritance of the L-rd, saying: Go, serve other gods. Now, whoever said to David, Serve other gods? - But [the text intended] to tell you that whoever lives outside the Land may be regarded as one who worships idols."
Which means it's better to live in Tel Aviv - than say Boro Park...
Update: Perhaps the quote you are refering too is actually on 63A where is says this:
R. Eleazar b. Abina said: Punishment comes into the world only on Israel's account; for it is said, I have cut off nations, their corners are desolate; I have made their streets waste, and this is followed by the text, 'I said: Surely thou wilt fear Me, thou wilt receive correction'.
Now if anything this supports my claim, not yours.
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