10 February, 2024 18:41

Perhaps it is a good idea to stick to the words of the Naviim that our tradition has us read on each shabbot….and not read the whole book (or books)…. whoa…. so I am all the way to the Navi Yoel.. … once Ezekiel was done, the other Prophets are significantly shorter in content / lines. Although the song remains the same …… Each Navi laments over the sinning of Am Israel (and of the House of Jacob). But do not despair too much… they also speak plainly about the nearby Nations [including the peoples called Palestinians in the time of Tenach] that lived in what is now Ashod, Askelon, Gat, and… drum roll Gaza. No nearby nation or King is spared in the Prophecies of doom / destruction. There are few points (which the Prophets repeat). No one person is judged by the actions of their father(s) (or mothers). Each persons sins or return to Faith is judged on its own. The Righteous persons fall is considerably harsh and ends in death and any good deeds forgotten. the wicked? if the wicked repents his has life. We are commanded to live and not die. What was the sin of Sodom? Pride. Sodom was wealthy and full of richness, yet the poor went hungry and no one helped the orphan. people apparently no matter what their success is, or the wealth of the city are to forget the poor. Selfishness / Pride / Idol worship are all sins. We all seem to think there is no Idol worship… so the Navi says it is in our hands / near our hearts and in faces. Sounded to me like the very phone I use and all the Apps we use / news sites we claim and celebraties we breathlessly wait to confirm our thoughts. In short, the Naviim were sadly correct. We / me., Am Israel simply did not heed their words. Maybe tonight I get a new heart and a new song?