Israel & Kiddush Hashem

Welcome to our publication about Living Jewish in Iowa.  From Beth El Jacob the Orthodox Shul of Des Moines.

Iyar..at one time it was the only month of the Jewish calendar without a holiday.  Sixty years ago it was honored by the birthday of the State of Israel.  It is a modern day miracle that took place right in front of our eyes.

We're all familiar with the many miracles that our ancestors witnessed as they fled Egypt or wandered in the desert.  We read of those things with some wonderment.  Yet sixty years ago we witnessed the Hand of God in the creation and now the continuation of Israel.

We all know the story of how at the hour of independence the Arab countries attacked Israel.  We know this has been repeated over and over.  Yet tiny Israel prevailed.  Some of us know the story of Edward Jacobson (below right) a friend and business partner of President Truman who asked his powerful friend for only one favor..."Meet with Chaim Weizmann (L) and hear his story."  That meeting resulted in a change in Truman's world view as he said several years later, "That meeting moved me off the dime in support of Israel."

Who would have thought a Kansas City clothing store owner would have such a profound effect on history.

Coincidence?

The stories are many and the how we relate to those stories can be a sanctification of the Name of God.  If we belive.

So, perhaps it is no small wonder that this week's Parsha has these words:

"You shall not desecrate My Holy Name, rather I should be sanctified among the Children of Israel.  I am God Who makes you holy." (Lev. 22:32)

That we are here, in this time and place, to lift up sixty years of a Jewish homeland is no small miracle.  What we do to insure the stability and security of Israel might just be tied to our ability to sanctify the Name of God.  Makes sense to us and it's all pretty simple if you have a mind to make it happen.

It's the Mitzvot...

See you in shul!