Voices
Exile is a curse and punishment
One can only be terribly disappointed that an editor who claims to be a staunch Zionist can use the words “South African Jews should appreciate that they are blessed to be living here”. I refer to the editorial in last week’s edition of the Jewish Report.
CHONI DAVIDOWITZ
The editor outlines the problems Israel has been, and I, encountering both from within and without, predicting an insecure future for its people. He fails to mention the miraculous achievements both spiritual and physical that that the nation has achieved since its rebirth 66 years ago – this after an exile of nearly 2 000 years.
He also fails to mention that G-d, in his mercy, has restored sovereignty to His people over most of the Land after 2 000 years of suffering in exile, suffering that was far, far worse than the nation is going through now.
No, by stating that Jews should appreciate that they are blessed to be living here in exile, is an insult to the G-d of Israel, who has bestowed the greatest gift of love to His people: the Land of Israel.
To be living here is the furthest thing from a blessing. Exile is a curse and a punishment.
Johannesburg