Here
in Israel we have just completed the Holiday of Shavuot,
commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. For various reasons that will not be
expounded at length here, it is celebrated one day in the Land of Israel and
two days outside of the Land of Israel (which means that the holiday is still
in progress in the USA).
Israel
is still reeling from the terror
attack at the Sarona Market complex in Tel Aviv. Much has been written and reported and
punditized about the incident; I have little to add at this time, but
gratuitously note that (1) Israel Police, along with military personnel
carrying their weapons, have shown a higher profile these past few days; and
(2) during this coming week I expect to ride a bus that passes within 2 blocks
of Sarona.
What
I will mention, though, is that during the past two days at my Shul worship
services (Saturday, of course, was Shabbat, and today was Shavuot), I saw a
heretofore unprecedented number of individuals packing heat. Two I know to be law enforcement officers,
but that did not explain the others.
Turns out that word was informally passed that those licensed to carry
should carry to shul during the holiday.
Before
we departed from the USA I had a discussion with my rabbi. He had made the decision to enlist armed
security for Rosh Hashanah services, and was considering asking some
congregation members who are licensed to carry (including two retired police
officers) to carry on a regular basis.
Another rabbi of another congregation caught some heat (pun intentional)
from his resident leftards for doing that.
With the strong encouragement of the Rebitzin, my Rabbi told everyone
that they would be welcome to carry.
Most of the congregation members backed him on it.
In
Israel everyone seems to understand the need for defensive measures, but these
days it must be difficult to be a Jewish hoplophobe in America.
Labels: Bearing Arms, Protection, Terrorism
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