From Jacob to Israel: Lies and Hate

Sometimes, it takes a crisis to realise how self-centred we’ve been or the need to elevate ourselves, find faith, and rediscover our purpose. This week’s Torah reading begins with Jacob’s journey, introduced by the word Vayeitze – he went out. Jacob left his familiar surroundings after a deeply personal crisis. Forced to flee, he endured a tragedy that meant he would never see his mother again. Stepping into unfamiliar territory, Jacob embarked on a journey of self-discovery. At Bet El (The House of God), he encountered God. This profound moment was one of finding purpose amid great uncertainty.

In many ways, October 7th has become our Vayeitze – our going out. It forced us out of our comfort zones, pushing us to rediscover ourselves as individuals and as a people. This week’s parsha is rich with imagery, including the famous vision of angels ascending and descending a ladder connecting heaven and earth. What does this symbolise? What does it mean for us today?

The Midrash analyzes this episode and teaches some of the most fundamental lessons of Jewish history. It tells us that the angels ascending and descending the ladder were the representatives of the nations that would oppress Israel in the future exiles.

As I contemplate these reflections, I find myself climbing the steps to Mount Zion. My destination is the remnants of our holy temple, where I intend to pray and reflect on this new month and beginning. Just as Jacob was in a state of limbo—not yet at his destination—we, too, are in a liminal space. We live under the shadow of ceasefires, with hostages still in captivity and enemies persistently threatening us. Yesterday, a missile was launched from Yemen. Antisemitism spreads from the streets of Toronto, Paris, and London to the Ivy League universities and distorted narratives in history books.

Just look at this image posted on Facebook. What should be the response to these lies and hate? Jacob’s story inspires us to ask:

How do we combat these lies?

What is our destination?

What does a rebuilt vision of the Soul of  Israel truly look like?

On Sunday this week, I went on a journey of discovery. It wasn’t far—just a short bike ride to a school called Mekor Chaim (Source of Life) in Talpiot. I had never truly noticed it before. It’s remarkable how little we know about the places and people around us. Often, it takes a crisis to uncover deeper truths about ourselves and our community.

The prayer service I attended honoured those we lost, including Rabbi Avi Goldberg. Rabbi Avi was a pillar of this community, a source of strength and action. His legacy was evident in the presence of his family and community members, each grappling with a mix of emotions—grief, resilience, and hope. Sitting in my row was the young orphan son of Rabbi Avi, who needed encouragement to play a musical instrument during the service. It must have taken a mountain of courage to muster the strength to play.

The service was part of the musical Hallel gathering by Rabbi Dov Zinger, whose words after the service struck a deep chord:

“Close your eyes to see the future. When you close your eyes, you see the truth. It’s more than the challenges, more than the pain. The infinite light of God’s reality fills us with love for everything.”

These words were followed by commemorating a new synagogue in the neighbourhood, which will continue Rabbi Avi’s vision. His widow, Rachel, played a hauntingly beautiful rendition of his final song, Meloch Kol HaOlam — God will reign over the world. The message was clear: we will rebuild and emerge stronger from tragedy.

Photos taken by me on Sunday – 1st December 2024 in Talpiot. In the photo is Rachel with some of her children, and Rav Dov Zinger who is sitting.

On Monday this week, standing amidst the rebuilt ruins of Hurva Synagogue, I reflected on the resilience symbolised by its beautiful edifice. The magnificent building was the crown jewel of Jerusalem, a part of the Jewish city that Jordanian soldiers destroyed in the War of Independence. Just as Jacob’s journey teaches us to find God and purpose in the unknown, our task today is to find strength and unity amid adversity. We must remember that our past, present, and future converge in this shared mission of rebuilding—a mission of faith, resilience, and hope.

From Jacob to Israel – The struggle for our voice

In part two of this blog, I delve into the profound struggle of Jacob—a narrative that reaches its pinnacle when he wrestles with the angel in the depths of night. This transformative encounter bestows upon him the name Israel, signifying uprightness and righteousness. Yet, this begs the question: what does Jacob truly mean? One meaning is the heel, and by implication, it carries connotations of deceit and cunning. Despite Jacob’s designation as “Ish Tam,” a man of truth and integrity, his life—and indeed, the lives of his descendants—seems inexorably shadowed by struggles with deceit.

Consider the well-known episodes of Jacob’s life: his seven years of labour for Rachel, only to be deceived by Laban; his subsequent schemes with the speckled and spotted sheep, which, though clever, may raise ethical questions. These stories mirror a pattern of wrestling—not merely with external adversaries but with the inner challenge of aligning actions with divine righteousness. The struggle of Jacob reflects a larger theme of humanity’s battle to transcend dishonesty and embrace truth. The echoes of these struggles reverberate even today.

As we examine the present, the parallels become striking. Lies, accusations, and historical revisionism about Israel and Judaism are the modern-day manifestations of Jacob’s struggles. Israel’s potential to be truly upright, a beacon of righteousness among nations, often seems unrealized. This begs an introspective query: Are we complicit in this? Are we, perhaps, too yielding, too hesitant to assert our values in a world increasingly swayed by false narratives?

We find internal divisions among our people—“fifth columns,” as some might call them. Whether it’s Jews in the diaspora or leaders and generals in Israel who openly criticise, the debate about where truth and responsibility lie continues. While some critiques may carry elements of truth, they do not justify capitulation to trends that undermine foundational values and truths.

As I’ve written in my weekly Upgrading ESG blog, Walmart’s backlash against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)—rooted in its incorrect reliance on distorted narratives—illustrates the necessity of returning to old-fashioned common sense.

See Link: https://upgradingesg.substack.com/p/refocusing-esg

It’s time to reaffirm our traditions, rooted in the Torah, and to declare that enough is enough.

The Western world, once profoundly shaped by these traditions, is in turmoil. The vitriol against Israel is emblematic of a deeper antagonism against the divine and moral order itself. This hostility—manifested in protests, lies, and outright hatred—should be seen not as a tragedy but as a badge of honour. Why is there such hatred against the Jews? As one astute observer remarked, it’s because we succeed, often against all odds. Persecution has never extinguished the resilient spirit of Israel and Judaism. Instead, it has refined and strengthened it.

Perhaps this hate is not about us at all. It’s a projection of others’ frustrations, guilt, and insecurities—a scapegoating mechanism as old as history itself. Rather than internalize this negativity, we should recognize it as a sign of our enduring pride and strength. Jacob’s struggle—our struggle—is not a mark of disgrace but a testament to the divine promise and mission bestowed upon us.

Lies and Hate: Human Rights and Double Standards 

A Brief Look at the Selective Lens of Human Rights Organizations: A Disproportionate Focus on Israel

In response to this post on Facebook, I felt the need to delve into the biased narratives perpetuated by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other similar organisations, particularly their ex-director’s absurd dismissal of the hostage crisis and Israel’s need for self-defence as “irrelevant” This comment exemplifies the world’s troubling double standards—obsessively scrutinising Israel while ignoring or downplaying egregious human rights abuses elsewhere, from significant conflicts like the Syrian Civil War, Yemeni Civil War, and crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela which have caused millions of deaths and displaced tens of millions. Yet, they receive limited attention compared to issues like Israeli settlements or military operations. This selective scrutiny diverts attention and resources from pressing humanitarian needs, undermining the credibility of these organisations and aligning their agenda with political biases. A fair and balanced approach is crucial to address all human rights violations based on their severity and scale. The table below paints a distressing picture.

Such selective outrage distorts the truth, undermines the HRW’s, The ICJ, ICC, UN et al credibility, and detracts from addressing dire humanitarian crises. I’ll leave it at this with limited space, but the hypocrisy speaks volumes.

I would like to share a few photos of protests and marches calling out these conflicts and suffering in the universities and on the streets of London. But, I could not find any!!

The featured video is yet another example of these lies and hate, this time from the Oxford Union—a sad reflection of how low a once prestigious institution and country can fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm1C4Ho0PQ8

The challenge of the global War against Israel, as witnessed again this week by the UN, is calling for another terror state. “UN passed a resolution for a conference on a ‘two-state solution’, but 8 countries voted against it.

Only eight countries voted against it. Let’s all remind ourselves that the Palestinians only want a one-state solution from the “river to the sea.”

Additionally, this week, believing this could happen in Europe is troubling.  A thousand artists had blackmailed the Tate Gallery in London into forcing the resignation of a Jewish board member on the grounds of her Zionist beliefs. At the same time, the Dutch foreign minister welcomes his  Iranian counterpart while declaring that should the Prime minister of  Israel visit the Netherlands, he will be arrested.

Conclusion

Jacob’s journey teaches us to find faith, purpose, and resilience amid uncertainty and adversity. It reminds us that struggles, whether internal or external, are integral to the journey of becoming Israel—upright, righteous, and resilient. Just as Jacob discovered God in the unknown and wrestled with challenges to emerge stronger, so must we. Our task is to embrace our unique role in the world, reaffirm our commitment to truth and tradition, and push back against falsehood. Far from being burdens, these challenges are our greatest pride and an enduring testament to the divine mission we carry. As we rebuild, we do so with faith, resilience, and hope, knowing that our shared past, present, and future converge in this sacred mission.