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People love looking forward to something; a vacation, the Super Bowl, or the day their kids (finally) leave for sleepaway camp. Everyone has their own list… but what about the world. Yes, the world. What should the world be looking forward to?

The Midrash teaches (Midrash Rabbah, Ba’Midbar 1) that “if the nations of the world realized the value of the Bet Ha’Mikdash to all of humanity, they would surround it with their armies and guard it for the Jews!”

In the book of Yeshayahu, there is an incredible prophecy; (Chapter 56, verse 7) “My House will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” We say this passuk many times a year, before the beautiful prayer of “Shema Kolenu”. We are stating, in very clear words, that the awesome place we want rebuilt – the holy Bet Ha’Mikdash – is not only for the Jewish nation… but for the entire world as well!

This is (or should be) the #1 item on “The world’s wish list” … for the Jews to return home and build the 3rd and final Temple in Jerusalem. There’s only one problem. Not only is this not item #1, the world is doing everything they can to make sure it does not happen at all.

Let me tell you about something that happened just 2 months ago. If not for Covid, this would have been the biggest story in the news. Unfortunately, it was not reported in any major media outlet – on both sides of the political spectrum. Sorry, but we can’t just blame this on CNN or Whoopi Goldberg.

The United Nations held a special vote on December 1, 2021, and here are the results: 129 countries voted that Israel does not have any ties to the Temple Mount. Those same 129 countries affirmed that the Temple Mount is to be recognized only by its Muslim name, al-Haram al-Sharif. Obviously, those 129 countries failed history class because Islam was founded in the 7th Century – and the first Bet Ha’Mikdash was built 1,400 years before that – but, as they say, don’t confuse me with the facts.

In case you are interested; who voted against this resolution that rewrites history? 11 countries including USA, Hungary and the Czech Republic… and who abstained? 31 countries including the United Kingdom, Kenya and Ukraine. (By the way, everyone’s new best friend – and the one with the most exciting glatt kosher, mehadrin, kitniyot free Pesach program – the United Arab Emirates – voted in support of this bill. But I thought they loved us?? I’m so confused…)

Now comes the important part of this article: Who do we blame? Whose fault is it that 129 countries voted this way? Allow me to be very clear with my answer; I don’t blame any of the 129 countries. How can Bangladesh and South Africa feel that the Temple Mount is an integral part of the Jewish Nation… if most of the Jewish Nation doesn’t feel that way? 70% of American Jews have never been to Israel even once in their life and have no desire to do so… so what do we expect from Cuba and Japan?

But let’s talk about the 30% who do come to Israel. Ask them what is the #1 holiest site in Israel today and I guarantee you that 98% will say “the Kotel”. Why is that? Why won’t we admit that the “Makom Ha’Mikdash” – the place of the Temple – is the holiest, most special place for Jews… and all of mankind? Don’t misunderstand me. I am not getting into the discussion of going up to Har Ha’Bayit or not. I’m simply trying to understand why this awesome place, described in our holy books as “where Heaven kisses earth” is not on most Jew’s radar.

What happens within 24 hours of landing in Israel? You rush to the Kotel, then Café Rimon in Mamilla. After that it’s Machane Yehuda and Mea Shearim for some shopping, Aroma for coffee, back to the Kotel and then Papagaio for dinner. How many times have you stopped, looked at the desecration on the Temple Mount, and shed a tear? Do you think mourning over the destruction of the Bet Ha’Mikdash is limited just to Tisha b’Av? I have no problem with davening at the Kotel but at least feel bad that you are in the garden and not in the palace.

The 129 countries of the world want you to remain in the garden. They want to disconnect you from your most cherished and special place. They want you to forget about it and simply sing it as a song; “Next Year in Jerusalem…” Unfortunately, many of us have already done this and while we wouldn’t actively vote with Iran or Indonesia, our actions tell a different story.

Dearest friends: stop blaming the world and start realizing that it’s all about us. How do we feel about Har Ha’Bayit? How connected are we to the Makom Ha’Mikdash? How many of us can look at a drawing of the Bet Ha’Mikdash and correctly identify many of the areas? We are now reading the Torah portions that deal with the Mishkan – which is a miniature Bet Ha’Mikdash – and its vital we make those Torah portions real.

Don’t let the 129 countries of the world win. Focus on the Bet Ha’Mikdash and make sure you understand the connection between our Nation, our future, our destiny, and this great and awesome place. And most importantly of all, don’t just sing about it… make sure you live it as well!

Am Yisrael Chai!

It’s been very hard for me to watch the endless videos being posted of Rabbis, politicians, community leaders, activists and successful businesspeople paying their respects to Jonathan Pollard. I have seen them hugging him, holding his hand and extending their love. Allow me to get right to my point: Where the heck were these people when he sat in prison for 30 years?

For 30 horrific years, Pollard was ignored by the Jewish leadership. His name was hardly mentioned and most Jews in the world under the age of 40 never heard of him. Schools did not honor him, no Tehillim was said on his behalf and although his information led to the bombing of Iraq’s nuclear reactor – which potentially saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Jews – he was almost ignored. Yes, there were some activists with signs marching around but nothing was ever done on a large scale in America. Two Rabbis stand out as the only ones who tried their best to free him. For many years, Rabbi Avi Weiss of Riverdale, NY held protests and screamed as best as he could. He deserves a big “Yasher Koach”. Then, Rabbi Pesach Lerner jumped into the case and – continuing to this day – has been at Pollard’s side, available 24/7 to help in any way. The incredible chessed and self-sacrifice that Rabbi Lerner showed for Jonathan Pollard was something from a different world. We have all been taught about chessed – and how it is one of the pillars of the world – but Rabbi Lerner put those teachings into action, day and night for over 30 years.

Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ztz”l tried to help as did Rabbi Yaakov Shapira of Merkaz HaRav, who visited Pollard when he travelled to the US for a few days. Young Israeli, Adi Ginsburg of Rav Micha Halevi’s yeshiva, organized vigils, youth protests and publicity in Israel. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu brought up the Pollard issue with the US president many times as well. In 1998, on his “Meet the Press” interview (after signing the Wye Memorandum), he talked about trying to link freeing Pollard to signing the agreement.

But where was everybody else, especially in the USA? Where were the big, powerful Jewish organizations? Where were all the politicians – especially the ones who took pictures with Pollard as he sat shiva? Where was the outcry when the Israeli Embassy threw Pollard out on November 21, 1985, into the arms of the FBI? Jonathan, and his first wife, Anne, ran to the Embassy like when an unintentional murderer runs to an “Ir Miklat” (city of refuge) yet the officials in charge threw him to the wolves.

And then, when a plea agreement was worked out with Pollard how come we didn’t hear a word from the Jewish leadership when Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger violated the agreement, after it was signed? But there’s more. The first 7 years of his sentence, Pollard served in solitary confinement, in Merion, Illinois. You read that correctly; 7 years in solitary confinement! Did the Rabbonim scream? Did politicians demand action? Did leaders take to the streets?

Nothing was done… until now, when everyone is hugging and supporting… in front of the cameras.

I visited Jonathan Pollard in prison 5 times. Each visit required pre-approval and a bunch of forms to be filled out. I was actually scheduled to visit him 2 more times but, after receiving approval, the visit was cancelled by the authorities. Every visit required air travel to North Carolina and on 1 trip, the flight schedule was so messed up that I needed to stay overnight in a hotel. Why did I spend the money and time visiting him all those times? Simple. Because I wanted to make sure he knew that he wasn’t forgotten. I hugged him – not in front of the cameras with phony tears – but with real tears that rolled down my face. I thanked him on behalf of the Jewish Nation and I told him a few silly jokes to cheer him up. He asked me to help with one thing that meant more to him than his own personal freedom; to help financially support his wife, Esther z”l, and I promised I would do my best. At the time, Esther was working day and night on his case. She wrote letters and articles. She gave interviews. She basically spoke to anyone who was willing to listen and, during that time, had no means of financial support. No organization helped her, as a matter of fact – without mentioning names – several, well-known Jewish organizations slammed the door in her face. I took my promise to Jonathan very seriously and kept my word! Baruch HaShem, I sent her funds every month for several years. In addition to that, I made her the Guest Speaker at my organization’s annual dinner. She spoke in front of 500 people, and I urged them to help her. I reported back to Jonathan each time and he was pleased that she was being helped. The amount of money sent each month was a modest sum, far less than what she needed, but I did my best.

Why am I writing these words now? Not to boast – Heaven forbid! I simply want to share a lesson that the time to help a fellow Yid is now… when he/she needs it… not just afterwards when the cameras are clicking and videos are posted to social media. I urge everyone reading this article to not live a life of “posts” or “shares” or “likes” but make sure to do the right thing at this moment in your life!

Yes, the “Pollard case” was (and still is!) a very controversial issue. This is why we need our Rabbonim and political leaders to take a stand and guide the nation. Nothing makes me angrier than avoiding an issue because it’s controversial. On the contrary! It is precisely these issues where we need direction. These are the times when we need to hear the Torah viewpoint and not be afraid of public opinion. For 30 years our leaders ran away from Pollard, avoiding him like the plague, and only now – as he sat shiva for his amazing wife – did they embrace him, take pictures… and post it to their Facebook page. Shame on the leaders who did this and shame on the public who drank the “Kool-Aid”.

Let’s pray that HaShem send us Jewish leaders who fight for Am Yisrael, even when the iPhones are not recording. The time for that is long overdue.

Am Yisrael Chai!

From Am Yisrael Chai, here.