We traveled from Angel Fire to Santa Fe via Los Alamos today. This was after enjoying a remarkable Shabbos. Irv Samit sent us an email suggesting, as we were close, that we ought to ‘mosey’ on down and have a look at the latest in ‘nuclear weaponry’. In fact, we intended to stay over and hike in the area on the Monday. However, we found the experience at the Bradbury Museum very sobering and decided to continue towards Santa Fe.
It’s not that we were unaware of the Manhattan Project and the ramifications of exploding those bombs of incredible force (which today are like firecrackers); but rather the tragedy that civilization is so focused on destruction. How far we have come—or always been—from loving our neighbor. Nevertheless, I am deeply grateful that America holds that power. My fear is the current office holders, who ought to know better, might not understand human behavior. Rather than bore you with my thoughts, I remembered a story heard from Rabbi Ordman, which I believe is incredible. It goes something like this.
Prior to the vote, for the re-establishment of the State of Israel, at the United Nations, President Truman summoned a leading rabbi from New York to Washington. He mentioned that it was probably not in American interests to vote in the affirmative for formation of the State. However, he was going to go against that interest for two reasons. Firstly, he said that he was an admirer of King Cyrus of Persia who allowed for the re-building of the second Temple in Jerusalem. He explained further: ‘I unleashed the fury of atomic warfare. I understand the ramifications. Therefore, the world needs a counter-force. Israel is the antidote.’
That‘s what I remember of Rabbi Ordman’s talk. In my opinion, I believe the President was saying if there is going to be that destructive force threatening the world, then we ought to invite Hashem back, if we want to survive.
We arrived in Santa Fe deep in thought.
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