Beginning Within - Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein

Change yourself. Influence others.

Survival of a Nation

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Survival of a Nation 6

A Nation That Dwells Alone: Israel’s Relations with the Family of Nations

One of Israel’s largest dilemmas—even before the Six-Day War, but especially in its aftermath—is its stance toward an often-hostile international community. Israel receives almost constant coverage in international media and foreign forums, greatly disproportionate to its geographical and population size, and the majority of this coverage is uncomplimentary. This lesson explores the roots of anti-Zionism and antisemitism and examines various means of countering these phenomena.
This lesson also surveys Israel’s impressive contributions to humanity in the areas of human rights, technological and scientific advancements, and ethical and moral standards.

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Survival of a Nation 5

Israel in Perspective: Viewpoints on the Land’s Identity

The Six-Day War had a profound and instant impact on Jews around the world. The remarkable victory raised the morale of Soviet Jewry and brought a surge of pride to Jewish America. Many Jews immigrated to Israel, while countless others experienced a spiritual reawakening.
Eventually, the dust settled to reveal extreme diversity in perspective and reaction to the war. Some saw it as a miracle of biblical proportions; for others, it was a chain of fortuitous events. Some experienced relief, while others were plagued by guilt. It was an act of Satan in the eyes of extreme anti-Zionist religious groups, but the beginning of the realization of the messianic dream in the view of religious Zionists.
This lesson explores the varied responses to the war and the manner in which these perspectives continue to influence Israel’s political process as well as its relationship with the Diaspora.

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Occupied with Peace: On the Viability of Land for Peace

Israel’s victory in the Six-Day War led to the conquering of the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and Judea and Samaria.
Immediately following the war, the Israeli cabinet approved offering all the territories won in battle back to Egypt and Syria in exchange for peace. Abba Eban famously wrote, “This is the first war in history which has ended with the victors suing for peace, and the vanquished calling for unconditional surrender.” The original Israeli overture was met with rejection, and numerous subsequent attempts at “land for peace” have yet to resolve this thorny
issue. This has recently given rise to the global BDS movement that seeks to use diplomatic and financial means to pressure Israel to come to the negotiating table.
This lesson discusses contemporary Jewish perspectives on these territories: Should Israel hold on to them regardless of the cost? Is there a way to trade land to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace? The lesson also discusses the related theme of displaced Palestinians refugees who seek to return to their ancestral homes.

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Where East Met West: The Chosen City of Jerusalem

A consequence of the Six-Day War was Israel’s acquisition of the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Jerusalem is of immense historical, cultural, and spiritual import. According to historians, Israel had no intention or even interest in capturing Jerusalem, due to its political sensitivity, until the realities of war resulted in a change of plan. The global Jewish spiritual awakening that followed the war was largely triggered by the reclamation of Judaism’s holiest site.
This lesson discusses the history and significance of Jerusalem, along with the controversy surrounding its disputed status as Israel’s capital. The lesson examines the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, and the allure it holds for its millions of annual visitors.

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Lightning Strike: The Ethics of Preemptive Strikes

Israel faced immense international pressure in advance of the war, and it received worldwide censure in its wake. What are the ethics of preemptive strikes? What are the Jewish perspectives on starting a war, and when is war sanctioned or required? To what extent should we recognize political considerations—or should we only consider military ones—as a factor in such decisions?
Israel faces similar deliberations today as it did in 1967. It faces a host of mortal threats, from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others. This lesson provides Jewish perspectives on preemptive strikes, and delves into a variety of ethical war-related deliberations, such as collateral damage.

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People of the Land: The Jewish Claim to Israel 

The stated goal of Egyptian President Nasser was the utter annihilation of Israel. He and many others in the Arab world insisted that Israel had no right to exist, and that Israel’s Jewish inhabitants were occupying lands stolen from Arabs.
What is Israel’s right to exist? The last Jewish state existed in the region some two millennia ago, and although Jews throughout the ages have yearned to return to their Holy Land, what is the strong association between a particular territory and Judaism—a religion of beliefs and ideas? This lesson explores why Israel is important to Jews today, addressing this topic from both the religious as well as pragmatic perspectives.

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Beginning Within - Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein