With the October attack on Israel and subsequent public antisemitism, especially at universities, it is important to ask: What are the reasons for the hatred of Jews and Israel? This week, Rabbi David Woznica shares thoughts.
A God that Judges
Rosh Hashana is also known as Yom HaDin, Day of Judgement. It is also the day in which Jews commemorate the world’s creation. That a focus of one of the holiest days in the Jewish year includes God’s judgment reflects the centrality of a judging God in Judaism.
Most of us do not like to be judged or put on trial. And yet, a God who judges our actions, to whom we are accountable for the way we treat others, speaks volumes about the centrality of morality in Judaism. Would we prefer a God who did not judge our actions? It would suggest our actions were not important to God.
Judaism brought the concept of a judging God to the world. Ernest van den Haag, American sociologist and Professor of Jurisprudence, said the Jews have never been forgiven for it.
Watch Rabbi Woznica’s latest sermon, Israel, Hamas, Palestinians and Their Supporters: Seven Vital Realizations