The Adams Street Shul

Thursday, December 31, 2006, is the English date of the Fast of Asarah B-Tevet, which means the tenth of Tevet. It is a comparatively “minor” fast day, insofar as it is not as famous as, for example, Yom Kippur and Tisha B-Av. The fast, which begins at dawn, commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, culminating in the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the first Holy Temple.

This day has taken on a far greater significance over the past years, since it was declared to be the official day of mourning for the millions of our brothers and sisters who died in the Shoah, but whose dates of death are unknown. Sadly, I have many such relatives, so I light a Yahrzeit candle or them and say Kaddish on this day.

I especially bring this up at a time when the president of Iran has convened a conference to determine if the Holocaust ever took place. He managed to collect about thirty people from around the world, whose hatred of the Jewish people and the State of Israel is well-known. Besides denying the Holocaust, this Iranian leader is threatening the world with nuclear destruction, while he calls for Israel to be wiped off the map. There is no question in my mind that the world is again being tested. In the early 1930s, no one seemed determined enough to stop Hitler until it was too late. Unless emphatic steps are taken to end these threats to Israel, the Middle East and the world, we may well be destined to relive earlier horrors, with the addition of nuclear devastation.

It is imperative that the world understands the true nature of anti-Semitism. The claims made against the Jewish people are blatant lies. Jewish citizens are productive and peace-loving, as they continuously contribute so much to each community in which they live. Even the contributions of the comparatively young State of Israel to world health, culture and commerce are legion.

Let us hope and pray that the sad history of the Tenth of Tevet will be replaced with new and peaceful days. Chanukah has taught us not to curse the darkness, but to light candles in ever growing numbers. May hatred and destruction soon be replaced with peace and brotherhood.

--- Rabbi Norbert Weinberg