It seems that each time we pick up a newspaper or see the news on TV we learn that Israel is being threatened either by Arab car bomb attacks, riots, sniper shootings or sword rattling from surrounding Arab states threatening death to Israel and its Jewish inhabitants. Today's sophisticated newsreporting technology pipes in these horrific events into our homes, which SHOULD bring us closer to Israel and its plight. However, we have our own personal concerns to contend with.

Mortgage payments need to be made, a new job must be found and, of course, April 15th is just around the corner. Thoughts of catastrophies occuring to people, our people, halfway around the world are noted and then pushed out of our psychy so that we can continue to live and flourish in our own communities. The problem with this way of thinking is that, although it is quite natural, it is exremely dangerous for Jews in Israel as well as Jews living throughout the world. You see, when an Israeli Jew is attacked, EVERY Jew in the world is threatened just as if the act of violance was carried out against the worldwide Jewish Community. We must ALL do whatever we can to ensure the safety of the Land of Israel and our fellow Jews. Moses understood this from the first moment he lead the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt and into battle against those who tried to destroy his flock on the way to the promised land. The bible tells us that during these battles, whenever Moses' hands were raised towards heaven, the Israelites would prevail. And even when the battles were long and drawn out and his arms became weary, he found the inner strength to keep his arms high for all of Israel to see. He explained his action to his people and to future generations by saying, "Since the Israelites are in trouble, I will bear my part with them; for he who bears his share in the troubles of Israel, will live to enjoy the hour of consolation".