A Righteous Cause

by Rabbi Chaim Richman, Temple Mount Institute

But on this past Shabbat, as we read of the Golden Calf, we also read in the haftorah, the prophetic reading that corresponds to the Torah reading, of the prophet Elijah's great showdown with Ahab and the false prophets of the Baal (Kings I:18). Take a moment to read this entire chapter, for on this Shabbat, as Sharon's perfidy and betrayal resounded all around us, the voice of prophecy was heard clearly, as if uttered today:

'And it was when Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, 'Is that you, the troubler of Israel?''

'He said to him, Not I have troubled Israel, rather you and your father's house have, by your forsaking the commandments of G-d...'

The time is soon coming when a showdown will take place in Israel, just as that which took place between Elijah and the prophets of the Baal. For a decision will have to be made, once and for all, as to in which direction we shall go forward as a nation.

'Ahab sent among all the Children of Israel and he gathered the prophets to Mount Carmel. Elijah approached all the people and said, 'how long will you dance between two opinions? If HaShem is the G-d, go after Him! And if the Baal, go after it!''

'But the people did not answer him at all...'

The time of the showdown for Israel is fast approaching, for we cannot much longer dance between two opinions. 'And it was at noontime, Elijah ridiculed them, and said, 'Cry out in a loud voice, for he is a god! Perhaps he is conversing, or pursuing, or relieving himself; perhaps he is asleep and he will awaken!'"

Let us fearlessly and openly ridicule those who worship false gods, those who would cause Israel to stray away from G-d. The enemy within is in his last death throes. "... today it will become known that You are G-d in Israel...the entire people fell on their faces and exclaimed, "Hashem - He is the G-d! Hashem - He is the G-d!"

For you, too, gentle reader, the time of decision is approaching. What for some may be the catastrophe of our era, for others may be no more than a yawn; time to change the channel. How many will say, "It's a shame about those people - let's see what else is on." Where do you stand? Sitting in your home, in comfort and security, surrounded by your loved ones, ask yourselves: What would you do, if they came for you, to remove you from your home, the home you built with your own hands, the home your children were born in? To destroy your house of worship, your livelihood, the community you have built up? What are you prepared to do now, to prevent this desecration? What will you do if they come for you, and you are alone, because, like the old story says, "when they came for the settlers, I didn't say anything, because I wasn't a settler...and when they finally came for me, there was no one left to say anything."

There are those that you can influence. The time is now. If you have cast your lot with Israel, the time has come for you to fulfill your oath. Pray about it. Think: what would G-d have you do? And then go and do it.

Keyword(s): Temple Mount Institute