Zachor

That on Shabbos Zachor, when Jewish communities around the globe gathered in their shuls to read the parshah of mechiyas Amalek, the evil enemy of the Jewish people, Khamenei, together with a group of his henchmen, was obliterated as they plotted to annihilate us, is among the open miracles our generation has merited to witness.
With deep emotion, and with prayers to Hashem for what may yet unfold, I would like to quote some of the holy words of the Rambam in his Iggeres Teiman and allow them to speak for themselves:
“The Sages of blessed memory frequently allude to persecutions and have said that subsequently G-d would make the decree null and void by destroying the power that issued it. It was this observation that led the Sages of blessed memory to affirm that persecutions are of short duration (Kesubos 3b).
“The Divine assurance was given to Yaakov Avinu that his descendants would survive the peoples who degraded and discomfited them, as it is written: ‘And your descendants will be like the dust of the earth’ (Bereishis 28:14). That is to say, although his offspring will be abased like dust trodden underfoot, they will ultimately emerge triumphant and victorious. As the simile implies, just as dust finally settles upon the one who tramples it and remains after him, so shall the Jewish nation outlive its persecutors.
“The prophet Yeshayahu long ago predicted that various peoples would succeed in vanquishing Israel and lording over them for a time, but that ultimately G-d would come to Israel’s assistance and put a stop to their woes and afflictions.
“We are in possession of the Divine assurance that the Jewish nation is indestructible and imperishable and will always continue to be a preeminent community. As it is impossible for G-d to cease to exist, so the Jewish nation’s destruction and disappearance from the world are unthinkable, as we read: ‘For I, Hashem, do not change; and you, sons of Yaakov, will not be consumed’ (Malachi 3:6).
“Similarly, He has vowed and assured us that it is unimaginable that He will reject us entirely, even if we disobey Him. This very promise was already given through Moshe Rabbeinu, who says: ‘And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break My covenant with them; for I am Hashem their G-d’ (Vayikra 26:44).
“Put your trust in the true promises of Scripture, brethren, and do not be dismayed by the succession of persecutions, the enemy’s ascendancy over us or the weakness of our people. These trials are designed to test and purify us so that only the saints and pious ones of the pure and undefiled lineage of Yaakov will adhere to our faith and remain within the fold, as it is written: ‘And among the remnant are those whom Hashem shall call’ (Yoel 3:5). This verse makes clear that they are not numerous but are the descendants of those who stood at Har Sinai, witnessed the Divine revelation, entered into the covenant of G-d and undertook to do and obey, as expressed in their declaration, ‘naaseh v’nishma—we will do and we will obey’ (Shemos 24:7).”
May we merit to internalize and live by these words and thereby hasten the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.

Joel Rubin is a former deputy assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs in the Obama administration, where he directed the State Department’s engagement with the US House of Representatives. Over nearly two decades in Washington, he has held senior foreign policy positions in the executive branch and on Capitol Hill.
A nationally recognized expert on national security, foreign policy and Congress, Rubin has extensive experience navigating the intersection of policy and politics. He has also run for Congress, giving him firsthand insight into the political dynamics that shape US foreign policy decision making.
A frequent commentator in national media, Rubin brings deep expertise in legislative strategy, diplomacy and the political dimensions of US national security.These are historical times we’re living through. I just interviewed Michael Oren, who is the former Israeli ambassador to the United States. He quoted his cab driver, who said, “We are not living in historic times; we are living in biblical times.”
(Laughs.) It’ll be Erev Purim pretty soon, so something is going on, which is kind of surreal, to be honest. I think these are extraordinary times; I’ll put it that way.

In what way is it surreal?
Because we just crossed over many lines that have been discussed over the decades in Washington diplomatic circles in terms of how to deal with Iran, and we stepped into a whole other universe and dimension. I know I’ve gone biblical on you. I didn’t mean to, but why not? I mean that sincerely, because we just witnessed the Americans and Israelis jointly conduct a massive aerial assault on Iran. Think about what that means.
For decades, the concept of the US and Israel overtly coordinating and collaborating on a joint strike against Iran, a major Muslim power in the Middle East, was unthinkable. There were a variety of political risks associated with it. Of course, there were also a variety of operational risks, but the ultimate concern theoretically was that it would harm the standing of Israel and more so of the United States in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Now that may come to pass; I don’t know. But no one in the Arab world condemned it. There are no massive street protests in the Arab world condemning the Zionist aggressor or the Americans. That’s one of those great scenarios that never came to pass. It just went poof.

Although there is no great pushback from the Muslim world, ironically there’s a lot of pushback from the Christian world.
Well, there are a lot of Christians out there, right?

Nothing is ever 100%, but there are voices out there like Tucker Carlson, who is an anti-Semite, speaking out in the name of “Christian values.” What concerns people is not necessarily Tucker Carlson but that the president will be getting pushback from his own movement.
Yes. It’s driving people like Tucker crazy. The depth of their hatred toward Jews and Israel knows no bounds, and they’re extremely shocked and dismayed that this American president thinks differently. Frankly, I’m not a Trump activist; I’m a Democrat. But I’m an honest American, and I look at this and think that the way Trump is managing this is ultimately about American interests. Israel served a vital strategic role in executing the strikes, but they weren’t carried out on behalf of Israel. This was on behalf of the United States. As Trump said very clearly, it was out of concern for Iran’s nuclear program, and of course its other programs, such as ballistic missiles and other activities, and its unwillingness to come to an agreement.
To these hate mongers, the anti-Semites you’re describing, everything is about the Jews pulling the strings. They can’t see an action by anyone around the world without a Jew hidden behind it for nefarious purposes. So to them, what’s stunning, shocking and dismaying is that they can’t put these two ideas I described together in their heads, and they just think that Donald Trump has been duped by the Jews.
But ask American military service members who were wounded in the Marine barracks in Beirut or by roadside bombs in Iraq about how they view Iranian military activities in the region. They would say that Iran is a threat to America’s military security; they aren’t going to say, “Let’s do it for the Jews and Israel.” As someone who engages in the spaces of foreign policy professional as a Democrat and as a Jewish person, I always try to maintain the American perspective on this. I think it’s in our interests to not let Iran get nuclear weapons.

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