The reality is in fact more frightening than an outside force
trying to impose its will on us. This is especially frightening in light of
the senseless act of this very disturbed individual. When the courts are faced
with a plea of insanity, it has to determine whether that individual knows
right from wrong. If the answer is yes, he or she must stand trial and be
subject to the verdict and sentence of that court of peers.
The problem that we face today in this country, as well as
virtually all free democratic states, is one of knowing what is right and what
is wrong. The true Biblical Jewish understanding is one of truth or falsehood.
To put it clearly we are to determine things based not on subjectivity but
objectivity. This world has thrown out absolutes in favor of degree. Listening
to an internationally renowned pastor on television, he said, and I am not
giving this verbatim but as I recollect, that we need Jesus, and that His love
will get us through this tragedy. It is, I believe partially correct, however,
he missed the point. What is the point? I believe that since we have removed
G-d from this country, which includes scripture, especially Torah, and have
become passive, we have seen a continuous growth in violence in every shape
and form from child, spousal and abuse of the elderly. Parents are living G-dless,
drug and alcoholic misted lives. Integrity has very little place in today’s
society, and saying sorry, really means I am sorry that I was caught, and not
that I repent will do my level best not to repeat the act. Parents are by and
large ignoring religious instruction, going to a house of worship and applying
the Judeo-Christian standards that have been applied in past. Does this mean
society will be free of all crime and sin, the answer is no. What will the
affect be? A society that will see a reduction in its vast social problems
that it faces and will increase if we as a society wait for someone other than
us to do something. The liberal left has thrown reason out the door, as has so
many of the Christian and Jewish religious institutions of this country. The
spiritual leaders are more concerned in getting sufficient numbers to be
card-carrying, tithe giving congregational members than making DISCIPLES OF
ALL PEOPLES. There is a fear that some how the word of G-d will be offensive
or divisive. They forget to realize that the Word of G-d is a two edged sword
that will divide between bone and flesh, or truth and falsehood. Unless we are
prepared to hold people accountable, we will see senseless acts of violence by
both individuals and gangs of adults and children. The fear of G-d is not
instilled into humankind, instead we have portrayed a weak, always forgiving
G-d, who is really just your friend. Call on the name of the L-rd and you will
have life after death insurance, never to loose your insurance policy
(salvation.) The question should not one of death, but of life. I have made a
point of listened a couple of times to a pastor of a very large church. My
first thought was, why is he so successful? How does he get so many people
into this huge church? I made an effort on a couple of Sunday mornings to
forgo early shachrit prayers in order to hear the words of this successful
young preacher. What I got was self-actualization that was being preached in
the name of Jesus. One can by these kinds of books from any bookstore around
the country, unfortunately, most people have lost the art of reading,
comprehending and studying. Therefore, they go to some body that will tell
them what they want to hear. This is the new mega church. Preach only that
which tickles the ear; do not tell us that we are sinners, that we need to
apply G-d and especially His word to our lives 24/7. Tell us how to succeed in
this society, that we may rise above the rest of the nation. For those that
will read this article, as we are in the period of counting the Omer, it would
be a positive act to start working on the different character traits that are
keeping us from being complete disciples of G-d. We have to start somewhere;
we have to start with ourselves then our immediate family. Do not look at your
neighbor look at yourself that is the best place to start Tikkun Olam, (Restoring the World).
