A Warning to Jews

When you see an article in the newspaper that the New York City Police Department is adding extra security to city Synagogues in anticipation of an attack, you'd better sit up and take notice. Such a piece appeared last week.

In the coming days or weeks Israel will be making an important decision that will affect Jews worldwide. That decision is it's response to Iran's nuclear program and Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's threat of destroying Israel as soon as he has the capability to do so.

Debate rages about how close Iran is to fielding nuclear weapon technology. Unfortunately by the time we find out it will be already be too late.

Iran has a capability today that could make parts of Israel uninhabitable for tens of thousands of years. It can do so by delivering dirty bombs filled with radioactive particulates perched atop their already proven missile technology. They are button-push away from launch.

As has happened my times before, Israel is being painted into a corner from which it can only emerge through aggressive measures of self-defense. Indeed when our lives are threatened, Torah allows for a proactive strike against our enemies.

Israel is caught in a deadly Catch 22. If the country waits to react to Iran's threats it will be too late, missiles will already be in the air. If it acts now it risks igniting a fierce regional conflict drawing the world into subduing Iran, which has already declared that if attacked it will strike at oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. In many ways Iran is as much a global problem as it is Israel's.

It must come as a surprise to Ahmadinejad that President Obama has not turned out to be the wimp he had eagerly anticipated. Indeed Ahmadinejad must be feeling uneasy as Iran is encircled by American military forces.

In Afghanistan new personnel arrive daily. The Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea resemble parking lots for the American navy. Troops in Iraq have handed off daily duties to the Iraqi army freeing them up to be ready in the event that they are needed. Even Russia and Pakistan are quietly but firmly sidling up with the U.S. Action is coming and it's coming soon.

Aside from attacking oil shipments, Iran has another weapon in its arsenal, one in which it is the authority; terrorism. Hence the warning.

Jews worldwide are in danger of being targeted in retribution for an Israeli incursion into Iran. I say this not to instill fear. On the contrary, it is a caution designed to make the 15 million Jews in the world aware so that they are forewarned and, as such, forearmed.

Whatever groups you belong to - temples, schools, and community organizations - should put security plans in place today. Today, not tomorrow. There will be no advance notice of a threat.

Personal protection plans likewise should be reviewed so that you and your family know what to do in the event of an emergency. Contacts with the local police is encouraged to make them aware of concerns so that they can react quickly should their help be needed. One can only hope that this warning is unnecessary. However, caution is the armor of the wise.

On a final note and this is addressed to the rest of the world.

It is high time to acknowledge Israel as a world diplomatic ally and true partner as the U.S. does. As the sole democracy in the Middle East and the seat of Western religious faith, Israel is a true member of the international community; it has proven so again and again. Now is as good a time as any to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and protect this tiny country from the forces that threaten it and its people.

Pesach Same'ach.