Rabbi Meir Kahane: Israel's Path is Guided by Goodness, Not External Prices
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Meir Kahane stated that the Jewish people's strength comes from seeking goodness and justice, unlike other nations who focus on partial interests. He explained that Abraham designated Isaac as the inheritor of his path, separating from other descendants who received "gifts" of impurity. Rabbi Kahane criticized global views based on economic factors rather than moral good and prayed for Israel's unity and decisive victory in the current conflict.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Meir Kahane stated Israel's strength derives from seeking goodness and justice, not partial interests.
- He differentiated Israel's path of purity from other nations' use of "impure" methods.
- Abraham designated Isaac as his heir, separating from descendants who received "gifts" of impurity.
- Closeness to God is achieved through commandments and Torah, not shortcuts or hidden matters.
- Rabbi Kahane criticized global views focused on economic factors over moral good.
- He prayed for Israeli unity and a decisive victory in the current conflict.
Rabbi Meir Kahane, in a Torah discussion for the weekly portion of Chayei Sarah, asserted that the Jewish people's strength to act in the world is founded on the aspiration for goodness and justice, distinguishing it from the partial, interest-based worldview of other nations. He explained that while all forces, including those of evil, are divinely created, Israel's path is one of purity and seeking true good that benefits the entire world, stemming from closeness to God and moral rectitude. This contrasts with what he termed "impure" or "side" methods, such as sorcery or divination, which he stated are characteristic of other nations and are not Israel's way.
Rabbi Kahane referenced the biblical narrative of Abraham sending away the sons of his concubines, emphasizing that Abraham designated Isaac as the inheritor of his path. This separation, he noted, was affirmed when the descendants of Ishmael and Keturah sought a share in the Land of Israel, citing the Talmudic account where Geviha ben Pesisa argued they had already received gifts and were sent east by Abraham. The "gifts" were interpreted by commentators like Rashi as a measure of "impurity," signifying their departure from the path of righteousness and the Land of Israel.
He further elaborated that true closeness to God is achieved through observing commandments, studying Torah, connecting with the Jewish people, and self-sacrifice for their divine mission, not through seeking shortcuts or adhering to hidden matters. This path of absolute divine good, truth, and justice is the only way to approach God. Rabbi Kahane criticized the global response to current conflicts, stating that the hatred directed at Israel does not stem from a desire for good but from malevolent viewpoints that advocate for the aggressor simply because they are perceived as weak.
Addressing international relations, Rabbi Kahane lamented that even close allies have failed to grasp Israel's perspective, viewing the world solely through the lens of economic factors like oil prices. He suggested that the free world should be willing to endure temporary economic hardship to achieve a better world free from the "Shiite axis of evil." He concluded with a prayer for unity and strength for the Jewish people to achieve a clear and decisive victory in the current conflict, driven by their inherent aspiration for absolute good.