The Hard Facts (Part 3)

2 Marcheshvan 5787 

(Part 1), (Part 2)

'I'm not Jewish, I'm a Zionist': Viral trend surges on X as hundreds join in, 'Post' analysis finds

A social media trend in which non-Jewish users publicly declare themselves non-Jewish Zionists has spread rapidly across X/Twitter,....

The posts follow a recognizable formula: “I’m not Jewish. I’m [nationality, religion or identity]. And I am a Zionist.”

This kind of (seeming) support engenders warm feelings for these (supposedly) sympathetic gentiles amongst the beleaguered Jews. Furthermore, the growing onslaught of Jew-hatred globally just heightens those feelings and drives the grateful Jews right into the arms of their gentile "brothers."  And this is precisely the intent.  Zionism is the breach in the wall that Torah erects around God's chosen people!

...In the future Esau will wrap himself in a tallis, sit down next to Yakov and say to him, "You are my brother"....  Yakov will say to him, "My brother, you will not be like me.  I will lead you to death, I will be the pestilence that leads you to Sheol (Hoshea 13.14).  Had I upheld degrees that you promulgated against me, I would have been guilty at the eyes of Heaven.  Had I violated them, you would have killed me.  (Yalkut Shimoni, Yirmiahu 333)

That was Esau's intention when he told Yakov, "Let us travel together and I will go before you (Genesis 33.12)**.  He wanted them to join together in both this world and the world to come, to meet each other halfway, with each modifying his conduct until they were alike (Yalkut Shimoni, Genesis 133).  Indeed, Esau will even adopt certain tenets of Judaism - such as monotheism, the Divinity of the Torah, and reward and punishment - but only if Israel will give up some of its heritage.  Similarly, according to Tanna D'Bei Eliahu Zuta(19), ... 

Esau proposed. "Give up some of the mitzvos that divide us.  You will thereby enjoy this world and still have half the world to come.  Isn't that enough? (Bais Halevy, Vayishlach).

Can one see relevance in these ancient writings for the world of today?  Do we not see the pinnacle of Esau's civilization, the country that is the utmost embodiment of his values of individualism and superficiality / image, offering this bargain to sons of Yakov, and most of them have taken it.  In return, Esau has placed his political and military might in service of common goals, in support of the so-called "Judeo-Christian" values.  

Will this friendship continue when Esau sees that Yakov returns to his Law and rejects his extended hand and his conditions of friendship? (Source)

It is destined to happen.  Mashiach Tzidkeinu will reject all these efforts of Esau.  As it says: 

 "And saviors shall ascend Mt. Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the Lord shall have the kingdom."  (Ovadiah 1.21)

~ ~ ~ 

**  (Genesis 33.12)  In their new found brotherly love, Esau insisted on escorting Jacob, and offered to slow down as much as necessary to keep pace with the slow-moving flocks and family (Rashi).  Jacob, however, wanted to end the reunion as quickly as possible, whether or not Esau's kisses were sincere [see v. 5], the momentary friendship could not be expected to last indefinitely.  Obviously, however, Jacob had to cloak his rejection of Esau's offer in very diplomatic terms.  

...At Seir.  Jacob had no intention of going as far as Seir - indeed, he did not go there - he merely wanted Esau to think he would, so that, in case Esau planned to attack him later, he would be waiting for an encounter that would never take place.  [It is axiomatic, however, that Jacob, who was the very epitome of truth, would never utter a blatant falsehood.  If so, he must have intended to go to Seir at some point.]  The Sages explain that Jacob was alluding to the End of Days, when, as Ovadiah (Ovadiah 1.21) prophesied, Jacob's descendants will come to Mount Seir to render judgment against Esau's descendants (Rashi).  (Source:  Stone Edition Chumash Commentary)

Ya'aqov Avinu was able to avoid the ultimate confrontation with Eisav, but we, his offspring, can not postpone it any longer.  On an individual level, each of us must find the courage to reject Eisav's "love" and stop leading him on.  We have to mend the breach in our portion of the wall and reach out to our brother to do the same with his portion.  The myth of "Religious" Zionism must be rejected as well as the myth that anyone who subscribes to any form of Zionism is a brother, a friend or someone with whom to make common cause.  

In the End, Mashiach Tzidkeinu will meet "brother" Eisav and put him firmly in his own place. 

(To be continued...)