Original Linkedin post from March 5, 2018
To borrow a statement of bewilderment by John Oliver, I would like to refer to an article I just read called “Israel’s Answer to the UN”.
I am saying that we live in magical times, not because of the marvels of technology and human development, which are surely beyond the wildest dreams of Biblical prophets.
Rather, I’m referring to the very first piece of commentary put on the book of Genesis, by the great medieval commentator, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (Rashi). He brings a Midrash which says that in the future, the Nation of the World will come to the People of Israel and say to them “You are thieves, usurpers of lands that belong to the Seven Nations”. Consider, for anyone from a student in school to the old sage, until the 20th century, was there anyone who could take this as anything but metaphor?
Come now, ‘Nations’ do not ‘get together’ and talk. It’s an allegory, an idea, a metaphor.
This isn’t meant to be real.
Today? UNESCO makes headlines stating that Israel has no claim to Jerusalem. And perhaps the most contended subject in the UN is, well, claims against Israel’s conduct and rights to its homeland.
Perhaps the answer in the same Midrash would not resonate with the UN today, but an exhibition with archaeology, well, adds another level of urgency to the need to engage in this fascinating 3,000 year old story. I can’t wait to see the exhibition!
We truly are living in magical times.