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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 12:23:41 -0500
Subject: Chevron

This mornings headlines about the shooting in Chevron led me to think
about a "proper" jewish response to our natural desire to keep
Chevron. Halacha DOES speak about this. It does not suggest shootings or
uttering Psulta DNuras.  Jewish law is very clear that when the
community has a need it should proclaim a public fast, examine its sins,
repent and then has the right more or less to expect that G-d will
answer them.  What is bothering me is that no one even tries this
anymore.

Here are some responses to possible rebuttals of the above idea:(1) What
sins do we have whose repentance will help us get back Chevron: ANSWER:
An obvious sin is the way we all bicker with each other as Datiim and Lo
Datiim and the various religious groups. (2) Why should conservative and
reform join a fast?  ANSWER: They can join the fast without fasting and
participate in the communities repentance. Note: This will also respond
to claims that datiim never do anything relevant (3) We should be doing
actions not prayers. ANSWER: Agreed. But we already have done everything
we could. The present shootings assassinations and public curses are not
viable alternatives.

What bothers me is that as orthodox people we believe in G-ds
providence.  Communal prayer is one of the few mitzvoth that affirms
this. Why has it been so neglected today especially now that we need it.

Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d.,ASA
rhendel @ mcs drexel edu