70 offerings were brought in the Jerusalem Holy Temple on the Sukkot Festival for the round figure

 

of "70 Nations" not including Israel

 

We read about that from the Torah and not just one of the regular portions this shabbat.

 

 

So who in the world really gets it? 

 

I mean - lookit (like they say in Boston) 

 

How much universalism is built into Jewish Traditionalism - but 

 

the Jews and the gentiles DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT - because they have inbred anger at the Almighty

 

 

 

As Rabbi Carlebach said once after a ride wirh an Arab taxi driver

 

Yidden (Jews) can only influence the world for good 

 

when they know they are jews and NOT when they throw away their Jewish identity and mitzvote!

 

And a world without goodness and kindness and caring and sharing - used to be a pretty bloody place 

(and sometimes still is)

 

What other people teach

 

dancing ariu d with a book ...OR a Torah Scroll ...

and who Does That as the Highlight of the High Holiday Season?

 

WE DO FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS

 

and hope the world will get it!

 

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Sukot and Simchat Torah

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz