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February 13, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
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February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 22, 2006
/ 1 Teves 5767
The power of self-confidence, faith and belief
By
Rabbi Berel Wein
The strong and the weak
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Chanuka represents a triumph, in the words of the al hanism prayer recited during this holiday, of "the weak over the strong." There is no doubt that the words "weak" and "strong" that appear in the prayer refer to physical, military strength. The Syrian-Greek army that waged war against the Hasmonean rebels was far larger and better equipped elephants, et al than was the Jewish force. Yet even though on paper the Jews were weaker militarily they somehow persevered and triumphed against their foes.
Now we all are aware that the highest devotion to duty and greatest moral commitment are not enough in the course of natural normal events to overcome tanks and machine guns with horses and spears. Thus the physical definition of "weak" and "strong" always remains in place. Yet there is a dimension of strength and weakness that Chanukah clearly illustrates for us. And that is the power of self-confidence, faith and belief. For though it does not per se stop machine gun bullets, it does give those who possess it the ability to outwit, outfight and outlast a heavily armed enemy.
The French army in 1940 outnumbered its German adversary in numbers and equipment in World War II. Yet it collapsed in weeks because it was demoralized, defeatist in attitude and without any belief in itself as a fighting force. The Hasmoneans triumphed after heavy losses of their own because of their belief and faith and self-confidence, their moral commitment if you will. They were fighting for their Temple and their religion, for the G-d of Israel and the justness of His cause. This gave them moral strength that helped overcome their physical weakness and shortcomings.
The modern Haman of Iran/Persia proclaimed last week that Prime Minister Olmert's unfortunate reference to Israeli nuclear weapons is only further proof of the weakness and desperation of Israel. He is encouraged in this painfully erroneous assessment by the presence throughout the Jewish world of the self-hating Jews of Leftist academia and the fanatical lunatics in their treacherous Jewish garb who claim to be religious and who echo his calls for the dismantling of the Jewish state here in Israel.
What can be better proof that this modern version of Haman is right when he is only quoting Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, and Neturei Karta? Do these disparate Jewish bed-fellows not illustrate the moral bankruptcy of the State of Israel and the Jewish people? Truly to his warped mind they show that the Jewish people are weak physically, morally and religiously. What results is his confidence in defying everyone in the world in pursuing his mad game of terror and destruction.
He feels himself strong and has decided that his opponents are weak. Well, the strong usually triumph and conquer the weak so he apparently has the odds on his side. But he is sadly mistaken in his assessment of us and of the situation. He has not done his homework with due diligence and has avoided learning the lessons of history. It is he that is weak for he is embarking on the road to his appalling disaster. The Talmud teaches us that anti-Semitism is a shortcut to fame but eventually it is a long road to Hell and destruction. Ask the Greeks, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians and Germans.
Chanukah symbolizes this great inner strength of the Jewish people and its firm attachment to Torah and its values. Jews as individuals may waver and weaken but the Jewish people klal Yisrael never falters. There is a strength and resilience placed within us by our history and faith that makes the weak physically strong morally and eternally. The little lights of Chanukah still shine in the Jewish world long after the bonfires of our enemies have been extinguished by even greater conflagrations that overcame them.
We have to continue to strengthen ourselves in the justice of our cause and the faith of our traditions and observances. They are truly the "security of our lives, the length of our days." Our road is never an easy one and Chanukah marks only the beginnings of victory and not the ultimate triumph. But it points the way for us and warms us in the cold winter of our problems and discontent. Chanukah may be jelly donuts and dreidel tops, potato latkes and gifts. But it is more than that. It is the affirmation of our strength of purpose and determination to live and succeed.
That is what makes it such a meaningful and joyous holiday.
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JWR contributor Rabbi Berel Wein --- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer offers a complete selection of CDs, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, and
books on Jewish history at www.rabbiwein.com Comment by clicking here.

© 2006, Rabbi Berel Wein
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