During the recent weeks our televisions and newspapers brought to us the terrifying accounts of the suicide explosions caused by the jet planes flying directly into the buildings in New York and Washington. Surely the magnitude of the destructive power exceeded by far, the calculations of any of our experts. The more we see of this destruction and death staggers the imagination.

This is a period in our history when terrorism hangs over the head of not only our country but all of the free world as well. In the midst of this terror all of us look to the psalmist who wrote “Lift our eyes to the mountain, whence cometh our help.” Every American keeps asking: “How can we overcome these dastardly attacks of terrorism?

I believe that this situation places a grave responsibility upon our country’s leaders and our religious leaders. I am reminded of that great moment that took place on Mount Sinai. In the midst of lightning and thunder, God spoke to Israel. God’s words were loud and clear. “Choose life, life that you may live. Behold I have given you two choices: Life that you might walk or death, which is evil. Be guided by the ten commandments.” One defense against the awesome destruction of terror is in our hearts and minds. It is not the terror that we fear, but the hatred, the terrifying power it brings.

Clean hearts are needed today, more than ever. It is in the midst of this great threat that there may be a ray of hope. Our Judaism teaches that man is faced with many trials and tribulations and after everyone has endured them, we will be redeemed.


Today, more than ever, no part of the world is immune. All the free people have been joined together by this terrorism. It is very possible that this brotherhood of fear could lead us back to the road of sanity.

This brings me to another point I wish to discuss. The values we choose today belong to the class of honest goals. ... view complete text