Iran War: "The Man Who is the Adversary and Enemy!"

On Monday night we will celebrate Purim, the story of the brave Queen Esther and her bravery which saved the Jews of Persia from destruction. When she reveals her Jewish identity to the King and accuses Haman, the evil tyrant, she uses words that ring true today, "the man who is the adversary and enemy is the evil Haman!" (Esther 7:6)

You could apply these same words to the now late Supreme Leader of Iran today, Ali Khamenei, yimakh shmo. I want to address you as an American as well as a Jew and supporter of Israel regarding the joint American and Israeli attack on Iran.

As an American citizen, the use of military force on this scale, without a clear sense of the overall strategy, without input from Congress, without clear bellicose action immediately prior to this from Iran, all concerns me. As Americans, we are right to voice such concerns and expect legal and thoughtful policy from our leadership.

However, I am thankful that one of the greatest enemies of the Jewish People and of Israel has been killed.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been focused on the destruction of Israel since its creation. Everyday since 1979 when the ayatollahs took power, Israel has been threatened, and I think you could make a good argument that it has been an existential threat from Iran against Israel. Israel's actions in this attack do, from that perspective, fall in my mind within the bounds of halachic permissibility when it comes to preemptive self-defense. (Maimonides, Hilkhot Melachim 5:1)

Not only that, but the Islamic Republic has oppressed its people, in particular its women, and spread terror and death across the Middle East and the world. In 2009-10, 2011-12, 2017, and last year, there were mass protests by Iranians against Khamenei's government, all of which were brutally ended. It is not lightly that I use the world "evil" to describe anyone, but it fits for Khamenei and the government he heads. As a person concerned with human rights, women's rights, and personal liberty, such a regime is anathema to the values I hold dear. Its end would be a good thing.

We will have to watch as these events unfold. All people in the world deserve to live in peace with liberty and protected by the rule of law. However we can promote that here and abroad, we should.

It is worth mentioning during this perilous time that we are thankful our synagogue is protected by our security personnel, the local police, and our staff and volunteers who prioritize keeping NSJC a safe place to gather.

Towards the end of the Book of Esther comes a verse that we recite on Saturday nights during Havdalah. It is even more appropriate tonight than in other weeks. Let it be the prayer that guides us in these challenging times:

לַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשֹׂן וִיקָר׃

"The Jews enjoyed light and gladness, happiness and honor." (Esther 8:16) 

Rabbi Benson