ots@ohrtorahstone.org.il

This year, the message of Hanukah has added significance for the world. In the face of the inhumanity of Islamic fundamentalism, we must spread the Jewish view of ethical monotheism, of belief in a G-d of loving-kindness, truth and compassion.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was in New York, giving a breakfast talk at the Manhattan law firm of Stroock, Stroock & Lavan. In those last few minutes before the world changed completely, I was concentrating on raising funds to purchase bulletproof buses for Ohr Torah Stone. To leave no doubt about the necessity of these vehicles, I described the current situation on the roads around Efrat, making it clear to my audience that Islamic extremism was the heir to Fascism and Communism. "In the last century, Nazism and Stalinist Communism initially expressed their enmity against Jews, and then tried to destroy the entire free world," I declared. "Tomorrow, Islamic fundamentalists will fight against America as well." Seconds later, an attorney entered the room and announced that this incomprehensible, unfathomable "tomorrow" had already arrived. The World Trade Center had been attacked, the Pentagon was in flames - and with them all the principles and values that are most precious to all of us. Indeed our very lives and the lives of our children suddenly have become vulnerable and at risk.

Undoubtedly as a result of the terrible events of September, Americans can better understand what Israelis have been going through for the past year. As I think you know, I have tried never to change my lifestyle - that is, the necessary things I must do as the Chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone and the Rabbi of Efrat - despite whatever goes on in the world around us. But now I find the airports in America virtually empty. As Dry Bones expressed it: "It used to be that Jews of the Diaspora stopped visiting Israel because they were afraid to fly to Israel; now they stopped visiting Israel because they are afraid to fly." The rank fear immediately following the catastrophic crash of the American Airlines airplane en-route to Santo Dominigo merely emphasizes the constant uneasiness which Americans feel about what disaster tomorrow might bring. Tragically and unfortunately America too is facing the terrible, indiscriminate menace of Islamic fundamentalism.

Yet, despite the damage that has already been wrought, and the threats of what might lie ahead, I believe there is reason for hope and optimism. At least now Israel does not stand alone against terrorism; at least now the consciousness of the entire world has been alerted to the dangers of the fanatic extremism of Islamic fundamentalists.

The message of Ohr Torah Stone, the light of an enlightened torah of morality and peace rather than the fire of destruction and exclusivism of the sword of Allah, has never been so crucial not only for us but for the entire world. Israel the state, and Ohr Torah Stone the educational ideal, continue to hold aloft the banner of democratic freedom and reverence for life which are the hallmark of ethical monotheism. The G-d of justice and compassion never promises an easy life but He does guarantee ultimate victory for Israel the land as well as Israel the nation.

The little cruse of Menorah oil has the power to vanquish all of the OPEC oil of our terrorist enemies. Hanukah teaches that a small amount of light has the power to overcome a great deal of darkness.

Happy Hanukah

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