Pray For Israel’s Protector

To the Editor:

 I lived in Israel from 1981 to 1989. My perception of Ariel Sharon in this time period was the rough, tough “can do” type of guy that went overboard at times. He was feared by his enemies because to them, he was lethal. There was never a dull moment with Ariel Sharon. When he got in trouble, it was always big trouble. And when he did good, it was always heroic and of historic proportions.

I confess that I had some misgivings when he was first elected Prime Minister, but over the years Ariel Sharon won my confidence. At the time that he declared his new Kadima party, I started calling him the “Michael Jordan of Politicians.” Other times I described him as a “master chess player” that saw ten moves ahead whereas his opponents saw only half as much. Love him or hate him, agree with him or disagree with him, up until just a few days ago, he was on top of his game. His focus was razor sharp. He was simply unstoppable.

Ariel Sharon is the world expert on Israel’s underground water aquifer. Many would argue that he is one of the world’s sharpest political thinkers and tacticians. Sharon was never very eloquent but he was always brimming with substance; it was more about what Ariel Sharon did, not what he said.

While Sharon’s arch rival, Benjamin Netanyahu, was blessed with a silver tongue and masterful sound bite, notwithstanding, one could see that Natanyahu was not completely in control when he was the Prime Minister. In contrast Sharon was always rock solid, never showed his hand and it was impossible to predict when he was going to strike down terrorists en route to harm Israel.

Matters of security in Israel is serious business and Sharon made people, including myself, feel protected. For example, if Iran ever tried something stupid, I always felt confident that Ariel Sharon would make sure the bomb didn’t hit us and he would exact shocking vengeance upon Iran and those that were involved. For a people that are such a miniscule minority in the middle of a region filled with enemies bent on our extinction, Ariel Sharon was just the Ari (Lion) we needed. His bite was much, much worse then his roar. His enemies knew it and that is why Hamas is overjoyed that he took sick.

I hope I am wrong, but it feels like we will never again have a Gibor (strong leader) of the likes of Ariel Sharon.

May God Bless Ariel Sharon for­ his total dedication to the Jewish people and the state of Israel. I pray he recovers and if he is unable to resume his position as Israel’s Prime Minister, that he, at least be well enough to be a senior advisor to the new Kadima government he founded.

May Ariel Sharon be blessed to enjoy the august years of his life with his family and his farm that he loves so much. May Ariel Sharon grow older and enjoy a “saging” process such that he be able to groom young upcoming leaders for public service.

Israel is not ready for Arik’s crown to fall. Israel is still very much in need of Ariel Sharon.

Please join with me in prayer as I ask God to grant Ariel Ben Vera a complete and speedy recovery. Amen!

Rabbi Shaul Marshall Praver

111 Huntingtown Road, Newtown                              January 9, 2006