The Jewish people are always affected by our memories of the past, the actions of the present, and the hopes and desires for the future. Our holidays are influenced by past historical events which we always remember and commemorate. While I was walking the streets of Jerusalem, I realized how this one holy city and land captures all of the Jewish historical consciousness. The Jewish people will never forget our past while we continue to strive for a better future.
The Jewish people went through periods of persecution and times of bliss and prosperity. When the Jewish people entered the land of Israel, The Jewish people anointed kings and prophets to guide them. The two most important and influential kings were King David and his son Solomon, whom united the Jewish people, built the holy temple, and brought peace to the land. Their accomplishments can still be seen in the present day. Sadly, the Babylonians and the Romans destroyed the land of Israel and expelled most of the Jewish residents which led to the modern day Jewish diaspora.In the Diaspora, Jews were treated either as second class ciizens or outsiders who did not belong to their host society. They decided to fortify themselves in Ghettos to maintain their traditions and culture. However, some Jews were very helpful to the ruling government in power and helped their host country with business transactions and other key influential positions. The Jewish people always maintained their prayers for the state of Israel and their burning desire to return to their ancestral homeland.
In the present day, the state of Israel was recreated with over half of global Jewry living within the only Jewish homeland. Islamic radicals threatens the Jewish homeland every day along with various anti semitic acts in the diaspora. The Israeli citizens have developed various products that greatly helped mankind in the field of hi tech, medicine, military, agriculture, and security. The various aliya movements have been one of the most recent Jewish miracles watching Jews flocking all over the world to Israel for various reasons whether it be religious, economic, or persecution. The Jewish people are now faced with threats of dual loyalties in their host countries because of our religious and historical times to Israel. The rebirth of the state of Israel and the flourishing accomplishments by world Jewry exemplify the wonders of present time.
The Jewish people have a lot of questions and concerns for the future fate of our people and our land. Will Israel survive the nuclear threat by the islamic threat of Iran and the various Islamic terror organizations? What will happen with our Palestinian neighbors and the peace process? Will the Israeli economy improve or worsen which will affect every Israeli thus putting pressure for some to leave? Will anti semitic violence in Europe force European Jewry to leave thus ending the historical presence of Jews in Europe? Will American Jews become more secular thus losing their Jewish identity? Will Israel strengthen or weaken their ties to world Jewry due to media bias faced against Israel and the continuous lack of interest by many Jews around the world to Israel? All of these questions are a growing concern to Jews worldwide and will be dealt with in the future but if world Jewry can continue to stay connected to our tradition, culture and Israel, we will be able to overcome all obstacles while remaining strong and united.
The Jewish people are referred to as the people of the book because we chronicle all of our experiences, dilemmas, and religious observances. Israel and the Torah, the Jewish people’s holy scripture, help to unite the past, present, and future hopes while ensuring the Jewish people will never forget where we came from and what we stand for. We have a holy mission to persevere united while becoming a symbol for hope for mankind. The Jewish people must never forget our past in order to know who we are presently while maintaining the will and perseverance to overcome all future challenges. The Jewish people will pass the test of time because of our devotion to life, Israel, and our belief in the one God who gave us meaning and purpose and a holy land in the Sinai desert.