Upside Down World

Upside-down world. That description seems to fit the state of the world we are living in on so many levels. This week, Norway ordered a review of Israeli investments held in the country’s sovereign wealth fund after receiving complaints that some might be contributing to Israel’s military action in Gaza. Following an ethics council recommendation late last year, the oil fund sold out of Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq over concerns the company could be contributing to human-rights violations as it provides services to the so-called Israeli settlements (I prefer to call them communities) in Judea and Samaria. The enlightened ethics council from Norway apparently felt that a company providing phone and internet services to Jews in their ancestral homeland was too egregious and needed to be blacklisted. The attempt to demonize a whole segment of the Jewish population simply for living in the Land of Israel is not limited to people living in Judea and Samaria. It just starts there and evolves into a discussion of whether Israel has the right to exist. This rhetoric just does not align when you meet people from these areas who are full of love, optimism, and faith. This week, our community is being visited by Rabbi and Gez, who are in town for Akiva Shyken's Bar Mitzvah. A few months ago, their son Chananel was in the car with his wife Tze'ela en route to the hospital to deliver her fourth child. Terrorists opened fire at the vehicle and killed Tze’eala in cold blood. Her baby initially survived the attack and was named Ravid Chaim, but succumbed to his injuries a few days later. The family buried their wife/mother with their infant son within a very short time. The grieving father and husband has since been exuding strong faith and optimism despite the painful tragedy. His parents, who are visiting here, are also filled with love and kindness. It is a pleasure to host them here for Shabbos and hug and support them during this time. It’s with sad irony to note that in the upside-down world we currently inhabit, the company that provides phone service to the Gez family has been blacklisted by the ethical commission of the enlightened world. Have a Peaceful Shabbos, Rabbi Yaakov Fisch