Sermon on Iraq, By Rabbi Denise L. Eger

Our Torah portion this week’s begins the book of Numbers. So called because a census is being taken of the Children of Israel. More precisely a census is being taken of all able-bodied men—from the age of 20 –all those in Israel who are able to bear arms. Says the text—all from 20-60, as the age of retirement was sixty are being accounted for and their numbers recorded this week. More than 600,000!

These wanders in the desert—are about to be transformed and rearranged house-by-house, clan-by-clan and tribe-by-tribe into an army. The story of the Children of Israel now moves from the rules of worship of the book of Leviticus and the dedication and building of the tabernacle and the functions of the priesthood towards a focus on the Promised Land and the fulfillment of the covenant made with God at Mt. Sinai.
The details of this week’s parasha –include even the way in which they will encamp around the tabernacle; with certain tribes on the north side, others on the east and west and yet others on the south. Divided into Division, and yes, even battle groups—we begin to get a different picture of this people. The land will not fall into their laps –even though promised by God—they will still have to fight for the land and displace those occupy it at present.
As much as we today might wish in a pacifist tradition—clearly this is the Children of Israel preparing for war.
Though our tradition focuses on the word SHALOM—PEACE—and we have many emphases on shalom—from the very name of our holy city Jerusalem—who name embodies peace—to the way we greet one another with Shalom Aleichem –Aleichem Shalom---there are times for war. And the Torah teaches that there are rules for war and rules of engagement. Ones that often run contrary to the military ideas of the time… We are forbidden from salting the earth and clear-cutting the trees. The torah explains that the ancient Israelites must treat captured women as wives—with rights of divorce and inheritance. These are but a few examples that run counter to the traditions of ancient warfare.
Though we read in the prophets—such as Isaiah—Lo Yisa Goy el Goy Cherev, lo-yilmadu od milchama--Nations shall not lift up sword against nation—neither shall they learn war anymore. The truth of the matter is that Judaism while not advocating war—neither shrinks from it when necessary. Particularly when a defense must be mounted. Nevertheless our hope and prayer remains and must remain—for a Shelter of peace to be spread of us over Israel and all the world. Ufros Aleinu Sukat Shlomecha.
All of this being said, the time has come to speak of America’s war in Iraq. With each passing day, with each round of new deaths America sinks lower and lower into a pit of no return. Our soldiers fight an unwin-able and unending task. America’s pretext for going to war—the weapons of mass destruction have somehow evaporated into thin air. There is finger pointing galore the CIA to the Pentagon to the FBI, from the White House to the Congress and back again. All the while our young people are dying—Iraq is no more secure or free—and America no safer from terrorists as the Homeland Security budget is slashed even more.
While Saddam Hussein’s is gone and captured. The Internal battle among Iraqis for power continues to play itself out. Whether it is the Shiite Clerics led by Al-Sistani or the latest raid on Ahmed Chalabi who was the darling of the U.S. and his organization on America’s payroll to the tune of over $340,000 a month—our failing and faltering Iraq misadventure brings no comfort.
Is the Middle East more stable? Larry Diamond, a former adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad who is now a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week and said. “Although we have done many good things to eliminate tyranny … the overall ineptitude of our mission to date leaves us and Iraq in a terrible bind.” Even King Abdullah of Jordan said this week that he envisions the only way to peace and security in Iraq is if a military strongman is in control and quells the various competing forces.
This is not an optimistic picture for the future of Iraq, nor of American troops. Most experts predict that there is only a 50-50 chance that the Iraq situation will resolve itself with a democracy and probably only after many years—as long as 5 or ten years and only with massive amounts of economic aid!
And most disturbing has been the ongoing revelation of the prisoner abuse by American soldiers. If our country had any moral authority prior to the war in Iraq—it has completely evaporated by the action of those in the Abu Ghraib prison. The horrors perpetrated upon prisoners of war are the most sadistic and base crimes. With the newest release of photos and videos today, the Washington Post is reporting that those kept in a special section tier 1A—prisoners suspected of having intelligence information—were the most severely tortured and humiliated. As the Washington Post reports this “block reserved for prisoners who were thought to possess intelligence that could help thwart the insurgency in Iraq, find Saddam Hussein or locate weapons of mass destruction. Military intelligence officers took over the cellblock last October and were using MPs to help "set the conditions" for interrogations, according to an investigative report complied by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba. Several MPs have since said in statements and through their attorneys that they were roughing up detainees at the direction of U.S. military intelligence officers.”
No matter where on the chain of command the blame lies, this is inhumane and cruel. The truth of the matter is this should outrage each of us. One of the 13 Iraqi detainees interviewed by Military Investigators was force fed Pork and forced to renounce his religion and thank Jesus for saving him.
Imagine a Jew being forced to do the same thing. It was done to us during World War II.
While there is no systematic murder of the Iraqi people by American soldiers—as there was by the Nazi to the Jews—we must learn from history. We teach ourselves the phrase NEVER FORGET. For if we forget the past we are doomed to repeat it. And now – our own soldiers-whether as humiliation for intelligence gathering or for sport in either case- it is an anathema to us. And if this is going on with Prisoners of War supposedly protected by the Geneva Convention what of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba that have been held since the days following 9/11—who have no international protections. The United States said it did not need to follow the Geneva Convention because of it moral standing—certainly the atrocities at the Abu Ghraib prison have laid bare that claim.
As a community of faith we should be outraged. The actions of some sullies the reputation of many. As citizens we should be demanding accountability and yes, I believe resignations—that should go to the highest levels of our government.
The present situation is unacceptable.
We who come to this house of prayer each Shabbat do so with thoughts of values and ethics. Of longing to be close to the Divine. We come here to renew our tired souls and revive ourselves and renew our commitments to live a holy life. Not just when it is convenient but to live a consistent life of holiness.
When we come here and seek that shalom—that elusive peace—we know that the scenes we see on our screens of the terror and violence of war and the depravity of torture even of prisoners of war—is far, far from holiness. Yes, there is evil in the world—and we must defend ourselves against it. But when we ourselves become perpetrators of evil then we cannot be silent bystanders. Our faith calls us to speak out and to work for the removal of those from office who have permitted this to go on. The investigation into the abuses of Iraqi prisoners must be quick and deep. This is where no expense must be spared.
And we must keep the pressure on our Congressman, our Senators and yes, our President to quickly end the war in Iraq and seek partners for peace among the nations of the world and among the Iraqi people.
May our troops come home safely and soon. And may the day come when all of the middle east and all the world knows peace.