Sunday
Sep202009
Video/Analysis: Obama's Statement on Jewish New Year
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 8:35
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U.S. President Barack Obama's video on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is important at a time when Israeli leaders are strugglingon many fronts. Obama's subtly-designed speech places the "responsibilities" of those leaders within a historical/religious context where their ancestors had always "extended compassion to those in need", "lived free from violence and oppression", and become "a light unto the nations".
Their descendants should "heal old divisions, seek new understandings, come together and build a better world!" But what does this entail? Obama says: "Show empathy to others' [Palestinians'] sufferings", which means concessions on settlements and acceptance of a the two-state solution, - in return for a "Jewish Israel accepted by its neighbors and [living] in peace and security against any anti-Semitic initiative".
Obama gives a further push: "Jews have overcome extraordinary adversity". This time, by empathising with the adversity faced by others, they can stand on the "right of the history".
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzDRAZDR3ps[/youtube]
OBAMA: As members of the Jewish faith here in America and around the world gather to celebrate the High Holidays, I want to extend my warmest wishes for this New Year. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – may you have a good year, and may you be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life.
Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year – a time of humble prayer, joyful celebration, and hope for a new beginning. Ten days later, Yom Kippur stands as a day of reflection and repentance. And this sacred time provides not just an opportunity for individual renewal and reconciliation, but for families, communities and even nations to heal old divisions, seek new understandings, and come together to build a better world for our children and grandchildren.
At the dawn of this New Year, let us rededicate ourselves to that work. Let us reject the impulse to harden ourselves to others’ suffering, and instead make a habit of empathy – of recognizing ourselves in each other and extending our compassion to those in need.
Let us resist prejudice, intolerance, and indifference in whatever forms they may take -- let us stand up strongly to the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world.
Let us work to extend the rights and freedoms so many of us enjoy to all the world’s citizens – to speak and worship freely; to live free from violence and oppression; to make of our lives what we will.
And let us work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear. That is why my Administration is actively pursuing the lasting peace that has eluded Israel and its Arab neighbors for so long.
Throughout history, the Jewish people have been, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "a light unto the nations." Through an abiding commitment to faith, family, and justice, Jews have overcome extraordinary adversity, holding fast to the hope of a better tomorrow.
In this season of renewal, we celebrate that spirit; we honor a great and ancient faith; and we rededicate ourselves to the work of repairing this world.
Michelle and I wish all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a healthy, peaceful and sweet New Year.
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
U.S. President Barack Obama's video on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is important at a time when Israeli leaders are strugglingon many fronts. Obama's subtly-designed speech places the "responsibilities" of those leaders within a historical/religious context where their ancestors had always "extended compassion to those in need", "lived free from violence and oppression", and become "a light unto the nations".
Their descendants should "heal old divisions, seek new understandings, come together and build a better world!" But what does this entail? Obama says: "Show empathy to others' [Palestinians'] sufferings", which means concessions on settlements and acceptance of a the two-state solution, - in return for a "Jewish Israel accepted by its neighbors and [living] in peace and security against any anti-Semitic initiative".
Obama gives a further push: "Jews have overcome extraordinary adversity". This time, by empathising with the adversity faced by others, they can stand on the "right of the history".
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzDRAZDR3ps[/youtube]
OBAMA: As members of the Jewish faith here in America and around the world gather to celebrate the High Holidays, I want to extend my warmest wishes for this New Year. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – may you have a good year, and may you be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life.
Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year – a time of humble prayer, joyful celebration, and hope for a new beginning. Ten days later, Yom Kippur stands as a day of reflection and repentance. And this sacred time provides not just an opportunity for individual renewal and reconciliation, but for families, communities and even nations to heal old divisions, seek new understandings, and come together to build a better world for our children and grandchildren.
At the dawn of this New Year, let us rededicate ourselves to that work. Let us reject the impulse to harden ourselves to others’ suffering, and instead make a habit of empathy – of recognizing ourselves in each other and extending our compassion to those in need.
Let us resist prejudice, intolerance, and indifference in whatever forms they may take -- let us stand up strongly to the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world.
Let us work to extend the rights and freedoms so many of us enjoy to all the world’s citizens – to speak and worship freely; to live free from violence and oppression; to make of our lives what we will.
And let us work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear. That is why my Administration is actively pursuing the lasting peace that has eluded Israel and its Arab neighbors for so long.
Throughout history, the Jewish people have been, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "a light unto the nations." Through an abiding commitment to faith, family, and justice, Jews have overcome extraordinary adversity, holding fast to the hope of a better tomorrow.
In this season of renewal, we celebrate that spirit; we honor a great and ancient faith; and we rededicate ourselves to the work of repairing this world.
Michelle and I wish all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a healthy, peaceful and sweet New Year.
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