s iritualit x8ONG H >> torah portion FINE CHINESE DINING Are We Builders Or Destroyers Of Israel? 'A wonderful adventure in fine dining — Donny Raskin Parshat Shelach: Numbers 13:1-15:41; Joshua 2:1-24. ur Torah portion reminds us how quickly optimism can turn to despair. The Jews had escaped Egypt and left the Egyptians far behind. They had constructed a beautiful Tabernacle in which to carry God's presence with them. They were poised to enter the Promised Land. All they needed from their leaders was the confidence that all will be well. Their leaders, though, let them down badly. Moses tells the tribal leaders to go ahead into the land of Canaan on a reconnoitering mission. He wants basic information on the inhabitants' infrastructure. Instead, the leaders bring a report that includes their fears and hesita- tions. This report dooms the people to another generation of wandering in the wilderness. The people no longer have the confidence to fight for their own land. It is important to notice that the leaders did not lie. They were not corrupted by outside influence. Their sin was their inability to tran- scend their fears, to achieve what Hemingway called "grace under pressure. There is nothing wrong with being afraid. There is everything wrong with allowing fear to prevent us from doing what is right. The leaders, through their own fear, transformed their people's hope into gloom. The State of Israel today is facing tremendous threats to its long-term existence, even though now it is strong and indepen- dent. We constantly hear reports of so many in our com- munity and outside it that question Israel's right to exist as a Jewish nation. We hear endless criticism of Israel's tactics in her attempt to defend herself. I do not agree with every detail of Israel's policies, nor do a num- ber of Israelis. Israelis, uniquely in the Middle East, can follow a demo- cratic process for the policies they do want. We are certainly entitled to our own opinion, but we must make sure that they are expressed in love, and understood as loving. Criticisms that cause Jews to doubt Israel's right to exist are as damag- ing as a terrorist bomb. The Torah gives us the names of those who contributed to the build- ing of the Tabernacle, as well as the names of the leaders who brought the negative reports of the land. History remembers the names of both the builders and the destroy- ers. History will remember our names. Will we be remembered as the builders or as the destroyers? We cannot afford another generation in the wilderness. PI Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner Catering and carryout available Gift certificates 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., North of 12 Mile. Farmington Hills 248-489-2280 www.honghuafinedining.com Don't forget us on Father's Day! ("--' -- IMIS I Check out Moe's tio!! Mel HALF OFF II entree with purchase of another entree of equal or greater value. I I with coupon. Expires 07/31/11 Dine in only - $5.00 off any purchase of $20.00 or more (not to include alcoholic beverages) with coupon. Expires 07/31/11 Dine in only a ay Leon's Family Dining Moe's on Ten 29710 Wixom Road • Wixom 39455 West 10 Mile, Novi 248.478.9742 248.926.5880 www.leonsofwixom.com www.moeson10.com open for breakfast - lunch - dinner Rt.'r Jut ant h 2 .8.476.0044 15% of Buy 0 lunch or dinner entree and get the second 1/2 off total food bill Of equal or lesser value Not good with any other coupons Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Exp 7/15/11 I Not good with any other coupon One coupon per table. Exp 7/15/11 Farmington Hills • Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road Auburn Hills • 1 I 2 miles south of the Palace of Auburn Hills Aaron Bergman is a rabbi at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Conversations • What Does Israel mean to you? • How can you support Israel from America? • What are appropriate ways of communicating opinions about Israel? SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY, SHOP WITH OUR ADVERTISERS! Mention that you saw them in the JN! iN Visit JNonline.us June 16 2011 35