An open letter during the 9 days
July 29, 2025
Av 4, 5785
An Open Letter During the Nine Days
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:
We are about to complete our second round of learning through 929, a program that facilitates the study of the 929 chapters of TaNaCH. We are studying the book of Divrei Hayamim 2 (Chronicles 2). I believe there is a great deal you, and all leaders, can glean from this. And, in all humility, I would like to encourage you to do so.
We have learned that King Shlomo, who was granted wisdom from G-d and could have held a nation together, continually breaks the laws of Kingship, acquiring too many horses and wives. He is cocky and arrogant! And his attitude and actions leave the nation fragmented.
During the Nine days we are encouraged to reflect on our losses and sufferings. We learn that the Second Temple (Beit Ha Mikdash) fell because the Jews were fragmented and hated each other. We learn that their internal fighting gave the enemy an upper hand. This feels far too familiar to be a simple coincidence.
Today in Israel over 75 percent of the population desperately want this war to end. And they demand that all citizens participate fully in the development and security of our shared home. But we are dismayed, indeed outraged, that you allow but a few ministers to dictate the path of the entire nation. This is arrogant, and dangerous. Your desire to hold on to a coalition that serves no one but you and those few ministers is akin to Shlomo holding onto his too many wives and too many horses. But, critically, it is causing a fragmentation in our nation, stirring hatred within our ranks and alienating virtually all of our foreign supporters. You have made us a pariah state, filled with history’s “hated Jews.”
Like Shlomo, perhaps at the beginning, you cared about the people and their safety. But let there be no mistake: You are now diminishing that legacy. Please, listen to the people, listen to the words of the TaNaCH and learn how to truly protect, unite and strengthen our nation.
With prayers for better days,
—
Freda Rosenfeld, IBCLC, CCE
Ida E. Berger, BA, MBA, PhD
