The wave of antisemitism currently sweeping across the globe is more than just a political trend; it is a sobering reminder of the reality of Galus. From the hallowed halls of Ivy League universities to the streets of Europe and beyond, the rising hatred threatens not only the safety of Am Yisrael and the security of Eretz Yisrael, but the very foundations of the moral societies that have allowed us to live in peace for decades.
Confronting this ancient hatred has always been difficult, and the road ahead will undoubtedly require sacrifice and resilience. However, our history—and our Emunah—tells us clearly: we have outlived every tyrant, and with Hashem’s help, we will prevail again.
Our history is a cycle of survival against all odds. As we recount in the Haggadah, "In every generation, they rise against us to destroy us." From Mitzrayim, where we were enslaved, to the Churban of the First and Second Batei Mikdash by Bavel and Romans; from the decrees of the Greeks who sought to make us forget our Torah, to the blood-soaked paths of the Crusaders and the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition—the nations of the world have tried to extinguish the "Eternal Flame."
In the last century alone, we faced the darkness of the Churban in Europe, the crushing oppression of the Soviet Union, and the relentless aggression of Arab regimes and terrorist proxies like Hamas and the PA, who seek nothing less than our total annihilation.
For many years, the United States has been a Malchus shel Chesed—a kingdom of kindness. It has been the freest and most prosperous home for Jews in the history of our dispersion. We have lived through a "Golden Era" where we could build shuls, yeshivos, and Bais Yaakovs without fear.
But today, the wind is shifting. We see a toxic "progressive" left that has allowed hatred for Jews to blossom under the guise of anti-Zionism, especially since the horrors of October 7th. Simultaneously, we see a rise in the "alt-right" fringe, fueled by demagogues who echo the dangerous rhetoric of Henry Ford and Father Coughlin.
How do we respond to these threats?
First, we must double down on our identity. Now is the time for Jewish pride—not just in a cultural sense, but in our commitment to Torah and Mitzvos. Our survival has never been a result of assimilation; it has been a result of our clinging to the Mesorah.
Second, we must engage in Hishtadlus through the legal system. We must demand that authorities prosecute antisemitic crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Just as legal tools were used to dismantle the power of the Klan and protect civil rights, we must insist that our rights to live and learn safely are defended with equal vigor.
Third, we must recognize our friends. Am Yisrael is small—a "lamb among seventy wolves." To prevail, we must work with allies who share our values of moral clarity and national security.
The headlines may be frightening—whether it’s the shift in Michigan politics toward the radical left or the riots on campus—but we do not despair.
Every year at the Seder table, we say: "V’hi She’amda"—It is this promise that has stood for our forefathers and for us. History proves that while our persecutors eventually crumble into the dustbin of time, the Jewish people continue to thrive.
We will continue to build, we will continue to daven, and we will continue to stand strong. With Bitachon in Hashem who guaranteed the Netzchiyus of Am Yisrael, we know that the darkness of the present will eventually give way to a greater light.
