B"H
I recently became aware of a song that Sheryl Crow sings called Out Of Our Heads. This song has the words Children of Abraham in it. It basically calls for peace and puts an equal responsibility for this peace on all the Children of Abraham -- Jews, Muslims and Christians. This is a very lovely sentiment and I don't fault Ms. Crow for her words. Except......
Except that it presupposes that each side is equally responsible for the state of hostility that exists. Except that it assumes that equal concession from each party will resolve the issue. Except that it espouses a position that each side has something to lose by not making peace.
Except that, because of the way people look at things, the term Children of Abraham is generally seen as referring to Jews and people who hear this song might interpret it as meaning that Israel is the recalcitrant party, despite unilateral concessions (like handing over the keys to the Gaza Strip to the terrorists who lob bombs on the city of Sderot like they're playing some bizarre and ultra violent PS3 game and planning further "pullouts" from the "West Bank", also known as Judea and Samaria), despite Israeli care in avoiding civilian casualties while Hamas and Fatah target civilians, despite Palestinian racism, despite the adage that "if the Arabs would put down their weapons there would be no more war; if Israelis would put down their weapons there would be no more Israel." Israel has everything to gain from peace; Hamas and Fata have nothing to gain. The world is on their side and by conceding even a millimeter brings them no closer to their goal -- the total destruction of the State of Israel.
I think part of the problem is that, political correctness to the contrary notwithstanding, most people would seem to be happier if we, as Jews, would just disappear from this planet. Come on, all you closet anti-Semites out there, you know it's true. You know you are just picking on Israel because it's more politically correct to hate Israel and criticize Israel for their stubborn desire to survive than it is to say that you hate Jews.
On my cafe press site I have a way to link to other cafe press Jewish designs. This past week I discovered that there is a design on cafe press that is composed of a Jewish star with a "not" sign (circle with a line diagonally through it) on it. This upset me, despite the attempt at political correctness by the owner of this site (he said words to the affect that you should hate the religion but love the people -- pardon me, but that's a boatload of c***) to lessen his hatred and prejudice. (Had he said he was anti-G-d, that wouldn't have bothered me so much because G-d doesn't need people to believe in Him/Her -- and G-d can protect Him/Herself -- but by spreading hatred, this man could cause people to kill people.)
So back to Ms. Crow the crooner. I understand her sentiment and, to be honest, I wish it were that easy (actually, if it were that easy we'd already have peace). But over the past 60 years (and earlier), Israel has done just about everything it could for peace, but no one's joining the "party". Even our so called "friends" spread anti-Jewish sentiment. Radio Jordan, the English language radio station of Jordan that I listened to in the mid 1980s when I was in Israel, refers to Israel as the "Zionist Entity". And they're supposed to be our friend. With friends like them, well, we certainly don't need enemies (even without friends like that, we don't need enemies, but we have plenty of them and no real way to make them friends).
Ms. Crow, I agree with your desire for peace (as in the opposite of war, the opposite of missiles falling daily on the inhabitants of Sderot, the opposite of people coming into our schools and murdering our students for the crime of being Jewish). I'm just not so naive to believe that my desire will cause it to happen.
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
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7 comments:
Children of Abraham
From Sheryl Crow's website
dear fans,
I'm thrilled that we are having such an enthusiastic reaction to the song, "Out Of Our Heads" when we play it live. It gives me great hope that we are all on a course toward waking up and embracing the future as our own. To prevent any misunderstanding over the phrase, "Children of Abraham," I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify what this phrase means and what it's inception was.
Abraham is a prominent figure in both the Torah and the Koran, as well as in the Old Testament. He is claimed by both Arabs and Jews as their ancestor. In a statement from my co-author, Bill Bottrell writes, "The song invokes the phrase, "Children of Abraham" as a plea for peace between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. We point a finger at the media and the leaders in any camp who incite hatred based on historical feuds. In the song, all parties are gently challenged to reconcile the past and ignore the war-mongers."
For further information on the phrase "Children of Abraham," please see these links:
http://www.children-of-abraham.org/homePage.html http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/abraham/index.shtml
http://childrenofabrahaminstitute.org/
http://www.coabraham.org/
http://thechildrenofabrahamproject.org/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/features/mideast_history/
B"H
I don't usually comment on comments to my writing, but it's interesting that I got this comment because this was the comment (I saw it elsewhere) that launched the blog entry "Sheryl Crow and the 'Children of Abraham'". It's a real shame that no one in Ms. Crow's camp actually read what I wrote -- she strikes me as the sort of person who might actually take it to heart.
See a post by Gail on the same topic.
Hope you are well!
Israel has as much a responsibility to peace as every other group involved. Just because there are people who hate peace or have cause to lose something like money and power does not mean that those who don't can shift their responsibility. The attitude you expressed is quite shocking and is the essence of why we don't have peace. Everyone needs to remove their pride and ego. You may have a good point in saying that Israel has worked very hard for peace. But the simple fact that others have not is not an opportunity to shift responsibility. Israel is more capable, can exercise a moral and ethical compass, and should take on a greater role. That does not mean that others are not responsible. Each side is equally responsible for the state of hostility that exists. An equal concession from each party will at least help resolve the issue. Each side does have something to lose by not making peace even if they do not realize it. No more playing victim. And yes, people do love Jews and they can love Arabs too. But desire is not enough, action is needed.
I stumbled upon your post while trying to figure out which artist did this song, for it has a pretty funky beat and is easy to listen to. The lyrics are pretty cool as well, which lead me to post this comment..
I have a couple of problems with your post, quoted here, emphasis mine:
Except that, because of the way people look at things, the term Children of Abraham is generally seen as referring to Jews and people who hear this song might interpret it as meaning that Israel is the recalcitrant party...
On the first refrain, my initial thoughts were about the father of Issac dude referenced in the Bible (I'm a non-practicing Catholic). On the second go-round, I thought perhaps it was in reference to one of the prophets of Islam. Lastly, the "oh wait" moment occured and Judiasm joined the party.
My point is that the key word in your comment is "might" - "might" doesn't mean "will", and you're making a pretty broad leap of faith there (no pun intended).
I think part of the problem is that, political correctness to the contrary notwithstanding, most people would seem to be happier if we, as Jews, would just disappear from this planet.
Sorry, but I find that statement to be completely asinine. That's akin to saying "most people would be happier if all blacks* would just disappear from America" or "most people would be happier if the Irish were to disappear from Great Britain."
I don't know who these "most people" are, but whomever they may be they need to check for loose screws. That, or your perception of "most people" is a tad off the mark.
* - I used "blacks" here to show that my political correctness is not withstanding.
B"H
Again, I feel the need to comment on comments.
Firstly, as far as Peace goes, if it were only for the desire of the Jews and the Israelis, there would already BE peace. It bothers me that people who really don't know what's going on there still acts as though it's all Israel's fault (or even partially Israel's fault). If the Arabs would drop their weapons, there would be no more war; if the Israelis would drop their weapons, there would be no more Israel. Period.
Secondly, from the next comment, I suppose you really only notice the rampant anti-Jewish anti-Israel sentiment (yes, people, they ARE one and the same) if you are actually Jewish. By saying that Israel is as much to blame for the "situation in the Middle East" you are holding Israel to a much different standard (like Israel can't defend herself and her citizens but the Palestinians can rain missiles on Sderot and Ashkelon and Ashdod and kill civilians on a regular basis and still not be more responsible).
I'm glad that you don't see anti-Jewish sentiment. I wish I didn't also.
The authoe of this artivel needs to chill out and just enjoy a good spirited song. The problem with people like this is that offense is taken at every chance available...lighten up, I think that's what the song was meant for.
Jw
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