Do Not Fear | Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Beit Midrash

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When faced with a threat, the individual or society has a choice between two options: one is to consciously inflate the threat, to be afraid and predict the worst; and the second is to take it in proportion. This was the case with Covid-19 and this is also true regarding the minority group threatening to dismantle the country. At the beginning of Devarim, which we will read this Shabbat, Moses says, "You shall not fear due to anyone, for judgment is God's" (1, 17). We are not afraid of "anyone," not because we underestimate their malicious intent, but because we judge and correctly evaluate their abilities to damage the overall picture, and the overall picture is always "God's" – in providence and proportion.

When specific parts of society threaten to break it up, we must assess whether they indeed have the ability to do so. For example, the threat that "we will take the money and get out of here" has already proven to be an empty threat; whoever stays here is not doing anyone a favor, they stay here because it is worthwhile to be here. Where will they go? To France?

Striking also falls into the same category: it is not worthwhile for any doctor or business owner to disrespect a large public in the State of Israel, it will end up like Angel Bakery.

Another threat is to refuse to serve in the security forces. Here, too, it is important to look at things in proportion: first, is it about all the security forces or about a very specific stratum, mostly retired, while those in the field and middle echelons feel differently? Second, will those on active duty carry out their threat when their own homes are in danger? What will an anti-reform pilot do when Hamas or Hezbollah bomb his kibbutz? Security has been damaged now, but nothing comes close to an existential threat to the state, for the simple reason that the will to live is greater than any exhausting argument about the "reasonableness standard" or whatever.

Although there are those today who provide a flexible interpretation of the concept of "democracy", the original interpretation is majority rule, and the moral idea behind it (and behind the halachic rule of "follow the majority", for example) is that the majority expresses a kind of truth that should be respected.

The Jewish public in the country numbers eight million who are going in a very specific direction, both now and in the future demographics. There is a group made up of tens of thousands in the first circle and perhaps hundreds of thousands in the second circle trying to fight this, they cause not inconsiderable damage, but there is no need to be afraid. The overall picture is that the majority will decide, even if it takes time. In the meantime, do not fear.

The bad will pass

The good will prevail

With God's help

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