The Jewish Version of the 'Rescue' Parable

13 Menachem Av 5775

You all must be familiar with that famous parable about the man who had faith that God would rescue him from any bad situation. 

One day, a heavy rain began to fall and the streets started to flood. A neighbor called over to him, "We're leaving. Come ride with us in our truck."

"No, thanks," the man replied with confidence. "God will save me."

The water got deeper and rose up towards the door of his house. Another man floated by in a rowboat. "Hop in!" he called to the man.

"No, thanks," he replied once again. "God will save me."

The water continued to rise through the night until the man found himself atop his roof. A helicopter hovered overhead and dropped him a ladder. "Climb up," the pilot shouted over a loudspeaker.

"No, thanks," the man declined. "God will save me," he insisted.

Needless to say, the man drowned and when he stood before the Throne of Glory, he said he only had one question for God: "I had faith you would save me, but you let me down. What happened?" To which God responded, "I sent you a truck, a rowboat and a helicopter. It was your job to get on board!"

Now, here is the Jewish version of that parable...

One day, Jews began to return to their ancient homeland after two thousand years and eventually re-established Jewish sovereignty there, with God's help. Soon, a terrible tide of antisemitism began to rise throughout the world. Rabbi Kahane issued a warning to Jews everywhere to prepare to make aliyah to Israel.

"No, thanks," they replied with confidence. "Mashiach will come for us."

The economy got bad and many people were out of work. Islamic terrorism raised its evil head and struck at the Twin Towers. The tide rose higher and Nefesh b'Nefesh was created. "Let us help you make aliyah as easy as pie."

"No, thanks," the Jews replied yet again. "Mashiach will come for us."

Then the economy began to collapse in stages across the world as nations staggered under heavy loads of debt and stock markets plummeted. The Western world paved the way for Iran to have nuclear weapons while Islamic fanatics were committing atrocities to rival the Nazis of the last century. Jews could not walk the streets of Europe with outward signs of their faith and the man in the White House was busy overseeing the enslavement and imprisonment of the entire population of the United States. 

Then came Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, the Rimanover Rebbe, Rav Shalom Arush, Rabbi Lazer Brody, Rabbi Pinhas Winston, Seer Nir Ben Artzi, the autistic children and many others to say in unison: "Jews make aliyah without any further delay!"

"No, thanks," the Jews declined. "Mashiach will come for us," they insisted.

And all disappeared beneath the wave...