Trump's Declaration - Too Good to Be True? Probably.

President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel was met with jubilation by the State of Israel, and most of the Jewish people.  And for good reason.  For seventy years, in the eyes of the world, Israel was the only state whose capitol wasn't recognized by the majority of the world powers.  International law applies equally to every state, except when it involves Jews.  As Trump pointed out, every nation has a right to name its own capitol – on the surface, the recognition of Israel's own choice for a capitol should be business as usual for the community of nations.  In fact, it has been - in practice, if not in name.  So, it seems only natural that Trump's declaration, the U.S. recognition, would be met with satisfaction, and a sense of finally – it's about time the world stopped holding a double standard for the Jews. 

To support those who greet this recognition with celebration, we should note that usually when those condemning the declaration include Israel's and the Jewish people's most ardent haters, then obviously this must be good for the Jews, right?  So, considering the reaction.  It must be.

Well, maybe.

The Jewish people certainly do not need any outside validation to know that Jerusalem is our center, our heart – our capitol city, for all eternity.  This was the case even when the Romans renamed it Aelia Capitolina, when the Jews were expelled or banned from the city under successive Roman, Christian and Muslim rule.   Jerusalem was and is the focus of the Jewish People's prayers, even when there weren't enough Jews in the city to form a prayer quorum.  Jerusalem is and will be the center of the world for the Jewish People for all eternity.

So, as much as we should appreciate President Trump's recognition of reality – something are indeed necessary on the political stage, there are reasons why, when examined carefully, it might also give us pause.   There are many hidden implication to his statement; implication which even he may not have considered.

It should be noted that Trump was only recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel's capitol – a fact reinforced by, among others, the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikky Haley.  The United Capitol of Jerusalem (which includes the Temple Mount and the Old City) is only united in the eye of the Jews.

And, if one were to take Trump's central reason – that each state has a right to name it's own capitol – then what's to prevent the Palestinians from declaring Jerusalem, or if you prefer Al-Quds, their capitol.  And, if they did, there would be no reason for the US, or any country  to not recognize it as such. 

Jews do not need validation from the rest of the world.  In fact, we are told quite clearly in Numbers (23:9) - “Lo, it is a people that shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations.”  This has been interpreted as both a curse and a blessing – and in fact it is both, but that is entirely dependent as to how we choose to see it.  When we chase after the world's blessing, then we will be reminded. the hard way, that we have no place among them.  We will be chased and pursued.  However, when we stop looking over our shoulder, accept our birthright and march forward under the banner of truth, the rest of the world will follow our lead, and acknowledge our lone status as the Firstborn.   

Remember, any time there's a performance on the world stage, all the players will dutifully perform their role, full of sound and fury, but the only true significant echo will be the one from Heaven, when we, as a nation, act as a reflection of  Gd's Will.

So, is Trump's declaration too good to be true?  Only if we think it really matters.

American Egoism - Two Sides of the Same Coin

King Solomon had a special ring made with the words: “This too shall pass.” When tings were going especially well for the Jewish king, he would look at the inscription, and be humbled; when things were going poorly, he would look at the ring and become encouraged.

In later centuries, Jewish sages continue the teaching.  They taught that we should walk around carrying two notes to self. When times are difficult, we should review the note that says: For you the world was created. When our ego is particularly inflated, we should remember that we were created from a putrid drop, and in the end we will become worm food.

Maintaining the balance between self confidence and humility is important. But, more so, it is the natural tension between these two polar extremes, both being in play (rather than a conservative middle ground) that can lead to a successful, but well grounded individual. It also can lead a nation to greatness.

While I don't tend to write much about American society, the current political currents in the nation of my birthplace has stimulated reflection, and have given me some interesting insights.

American egoism-- its focus on the rugged individualism, the importance of each citizen has lead to some amazing accomplishment, and rapid progress. Everyone in America is taught the same lesson from birth, that if one works hard enough, he or she can accomplish anything. American children are ingrained with the idea that nothing is beyond their grasp, that they have the ability and the right to succeed. Each individual, we are taught through the American Declaration of Independence has the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Each individual is important.

For the first two centuries of it's existence, this underlying philosophy and teaching, which focuses on the importance of the individual worked. It fostered the establishment of a society, whose members knew no bounds, whose accomplishments knew no limits.

Yet, during those first two centuries, America's egoism was tempered by a religious and cultural humility, which reminded those gigantic individuals of their essential smallness in the scheme of things. Individualism was directed towards the service of the greater good, towards the fulfillment of a larger overarching destiny. Individual egoism was sort of bound up in a collective egoism that tempered any tendency towards narcissism.

The egoism was focused outwards for the betterment of the world.

There has been a shift. 

We live in an age that eschews the idea of a greater anything. Even one's moral code is based almost entirely on how the individuals feels, how it relates to the self. More than simple relativism, today's moral compass is based almost solely on each individual's subjective visceral and personal experience. There is no longer a concept of a greater good, and certainly, not at the expense of the individual's personal and transitory momentary good.

Individualism has matured into nihilistic egoism.

Nothing seems to symbolize that more than the two candidates standing for election. While anyone standing for election in America, at least in recent years,almost by definition, would have to  have a tremendous ego, this year's candidate for the leader of the free world has gone more than a step forward. There doesn't even seem to be the illusion of self sacrifice for the common good anymore. One candidate's main argument for election is that she feels that she deserves it. The other seems to have a sociopathic need for it.

The great American individualism tempered with service to a higher cause brought great advancement and accomplishment. Without the submission to a higher purpose this has degenerated into total and pervasive narcissism.

Without remembering that we are naught but dust and ash, we will never reach the stars.