He Should Have Listened

The Fast of Gedalia was decreed to commemorate the assassination of Gedalia Ben Achikam, perpetrated by Yishmael Ben Netania, on the instigation of the King of Ammon.

As a result of Gedalia’s death, the final vestiges of Judean autonomy after the Babylonian conquest were destroyed.

Many thousands of Jews were slain, and the remaining Jews were driven to final exile.

The sad part of the story is that the assassination could have been averted, had Gedalia taken the warnings seriously. He simply brushed aside the impending danger and refused to believe that one Jew would rise up against another.

We see in this instance, the terrible tragedy that came about from not listening to the warning. Throughout history, there were many situations where Jews were warned of impending danger, and they chose to stick their heads in the sand and not listen. They paid an extremely heavy price for their stubbornness.

Sadly, we are again in a situation where there are serious warnings to Jews all over the world that they are not welcome. It is a disgrace to see the Jews of New York kissing up to their mayor, foolishly thinking that his true feelings will somehow go away.

This is the time of year we are to wake up and return to our Jewish roots. This includes learning the lessons of history. When there are warnings to our safety and well being, take these warnings seriously. Anti-Semitism is not going away. It is getting worse.

We must not be like Gedalia and be grateful that this time we have a place where we can go, and we are wanted. Israel has open arms to welcome home all Jews. Wake up! Come home! And take the warnings seriously.