Trump has become Nixon 2.0. Nixon believed he was above the law and tried to upend American democracy. He was also a bully who assisted Israel in its darkest hour, when no one else could.
“Even if Big Bully saved Israel by staring down Little Bully, he remains Big Bully. A Big, corrupt, criminal, narcissistic, messiah-driven and extremely dangerous Bully.”
Clearly and concisely stated.
I know too many “observant” American and Israeli Jews who choose to overlook/ignore/disregard/excuse his ethical and moral shortcomings and actions which go against the “ancient holy values” they claim to be so proud and fortunate to be “chosen” to live by.
Yes - Trump can only inject chaos and damage (and narcissism and sociopathy) into any situation - and the hostages?, there are only 25 left alive from the original 250 - Netanyahu and his cabinet with similar qualities as above, are at least 50% responsible. The psychology of people who can't see these - no words.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been struggling with my very mixed feelings since this ‘great achievement’ was announced. Will need to more slowly read and digest this post but am glad I’m not alone in my suspicions and lack of gratitude to the “Jaffa Orange”!
OKay, so I hope I am wrong; but, here it goes. I don't believe trump will truly celebrate the return of the hostages because I don't think that he cares anymore about them than he does the people of the USA. People of any ilk are just a means to his ends, whatever they may be in the moment of time that he is in.
How long before he and/or his family start in about the Gaza strip again?
I suppose a perfunctory thank you is in order. I'm sure that if a member of my family was returned I would be thankful. I certainly hope that all the hostages are returned!
I never heard of the Jerusalem Syndrome before. Wiki says people who get it were probably mentally imbalanced in the first place. I will be looking for further assessments from you re trump. LOL
Well said. This is intentionally designed to be a scary and confusing time. I always look at what people do, and listen to what they say. You have always been consistent and I am grateful to you that your words are consistent with your actions. Thank you, Rabbi. You are a good person, I appreciate you very much.
Trump only helps Trump. He has no love of anyone but himself. This made him look and feel good. Just because he picked this way to get praise does not mean that this autocratic bully is anything but
There are heaps of blame to go around. As Tom Lehrer famously wrote, “Oh the white folks hate the black folks, and the black folks hate the white folks, and your folks hate my folks, and everybody hates the Jews.” How far does this go back? 3,000 years? Blame away!
and fathers hold silence like a shrapnel-shredded flag.
This is not collateral.
This is a world unmade,
one stolen heartbeat at a time—
and you dare call it *war*?
When the soil itself weeps,
and the olive trees bear witness,
what court absolves indifference?
What god forgives turned backs?
Look and take it ALL in:
every phantom wail is an indictment.
Every unmourned body
a covenant broken.
*No absolution.*
Only the reckoning
of every gaze that refused to see,
every voice that chose the comfort
of silence.
—-
This isn’t politics—it’s *pain demanding witness*. When a life is erased, whether in Gaza, Mariupol, or Sudan, our humanity contracts. Poetry like this refuses to let grief be buried beneath headlines.
They're not home yet, either, so I wouldn't even give him credit for that until it happens.
They're home. Time to give credit.
Except that all of the deceased hostages were not returned and it starts all over again :-(
“Even if Big Bully saved Israel by staring down Little Bully, he remains Big Bully. A Big, corrupt, criminal, narcissistic, messiah-driven and extremely dangerous Bully.”
Clearly and concisely stated.
I know too many “observant” American and Israeli Jews who choose to overlook/ignore/disregard/excuse his ethical and moral shortcomings and actions which go against the “ancient holy values” they claim to be so proud and fortunate to be “chosen” to live by.
Yes - Trump can only inject chaos and damage (and narcissism and sociopathy) into any situation - and the hostages?, there are only 25 left alive from the original 250 - Netanyahu and his cabinet with similar qualities as above, are at least 50% responsible. The psychology of people who can't see these - no words.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been struggling with my very mixed feelings since this ‘great achievement’ was announced. Will need to more slowly read and digest this post but am glad I’m not alone in my suspicions and lack of gratitude to the “Jaffa Orange”!
Thank you. I think a lot of American Jews, who are also struggling, need to read this.
Thank you Rabbi Hammerman,
As my dad Eli said many years ago about you, "He is a very smart man!"
You have this just right!
Dorothy Levine
Thank you, Rabbi. Eloquent and spot on as usual. From southern Mexico I wish you Shabbat Shalom.
Good Afternoon Rabbi,
OKay, so I hope I am wrong; but, here it goes. I don't believe trump will truly celebrate the return of the hostages because I don't think that he cares anymore about them than he does the people of the USA. People of any ilk are just a means to his ends, whatever they may be in the moment of time that he is in.
How long before he and/or his family start in about the Gaza strip again?
I suppose a perfunctory thank you is in order. I'm sure that if a member of my family was returned I would be thankful. I certainly hope that all the hostages are returned!
I never heard of the Jerusalem Syndrome before. Wiki says people who get it were probably mentally imbalanced in the first place. I will be looking for further assessments from you re trump. LOL
Well said. This is intentionally designed to be a scary and confusing time. I always look at what people do, and listen to what they say. You have always been consistent and I am grateful to you that your words are consistent with your actions. Thank you, Rabbi. You are a good person, I appreciate you very much.
Haven't even read the piece, but this comparison resonates, can't wait to dig in.
Trump only helps Trump. He has no love of anyone but himself. This made him look and feel good. Just because he picked this way to get praise does not mean that this autocratic bully is anything but
.
Well said, Rabbi. So glad you are free to express yourself and to continue to teach us.
There are heaps of blame to go around. As Tom Lehrer famously wrote, “Oh the white folks hate the black folks, and the black folks hate the white folks, and your folks hate my folks, and everybody hates the Jews.” How far does this go back? 3,000 years? Blame away!
How Dare You Absolve yourself!
How dare you wash your hands
in the shallow water of distance—
each death in Gaza
a name erased from the census of dawn,
a breath that once fogged a window,
now ash on the wind.
*Not a statistic.*
A child who knew the alphabet of rubble:
*A* for ambulance that never arrived,
*B* for bread buried with the baker,
*C* for cradle crushed mid-lullaby.
You speak of "complexity,"
build barricades of bureaucracy,
while mothers dig graves with bare hands
and fathers hold silence like a shrapnel-shredded flag.
This is not collateral.
This is a world unmade,
one stolen heartbeat at a time—
and you dare call it *war*?
When the soil itself weeps,
and the olive trees bear witness,
what court absolves indifference?
What god forgives turned backs?
Look and take it ALL in:
every phantom wail is an indictment.
Every unmourned body
a covenant broken.
*No absolution.*
Only the reckoning
of every gaze that refused to see,
every voice that chose the comfort
of silence.
—-
This isn’t politics—it’s *pain demanding witness*. When a life is erased, whether in Gaza, Mariupol, or Sudan, our humanity contracts. Poetry like this refuses to let grief be buried beneath headlines.
**Look. Acknowledge. Do not look away.**
Because there is blood 🩸 on your hands!