From Captivity to Freedom - April 1995
		At this time of year, Jews all over the world turn their attention to one of the most awe-inspiring periods in their history.  The exodus from Egypt was produced through the hand of G-d in an obvious display of omnipotence and might.  What followed were forty years of transition during which time the Jewish nation evolved from a group of slaves to whom no one paid much attention into the most powerful nation on Earth, evoking fear and respect wherever they went.  At their peak, Jewish leaders could fell an entire city wall with the blast of a shofar.  The most impressive period of Jewish history began with the events celebrated on Passover.  That period featured the exodus, the conquering of Israel, and the building of the Temple.  For six hundred years, the Jews were masters of their own future, defenders of their own fortunes, and protectors of their own legacy.  This all came out of the quest for freedom celebrated at Passover. Many a comparison has been made between that period of Jewish history and the current one.  3300 years ago, the Jews gained their freedom for the first time in their history, after an exile and enslavement of centuries.  In modern times, Jews have once again gained independence after centuries of exile and enslavement.  Three millenia ago, Jews conquered their land from hostile neighbours and set up a commonwealth which lasted for centuries.  Jerusalem was the capital of the Jewish nation, and the focal point of the entire world.  Fifty years ago, Jews once again established themselves in their land, and Jerusalem -- the Jewish capital -- was reunified nineteen years later.  In the days of the Kings, foreign armies entered Israel, and, in an effort to conquer the Jewish nation, sought to separate the Jews from their religion.  Today, foreign armies have entered Israel, and, in an effort to conquer Israel, endeavour to separate Israel from its capital and its religious heritage. But Jews are not yet free from imprisonment or enslavement.  Peace cannot yet descend upon the region, or the world, because freedom does not accompany it.  Israel is missing six of its finest citizens, and at least one other remarkable Jew sits in prison out of a desire to protect his fellow Jews.  It is a mark of Israel's honour and respect for human life that its armed forces have rarely, if ever, left a wounded or dead soldier in the field during battle.  Out of concern for the sanctity of the human body and the danger posed to human life by Arab gangs of thugs, Israeli military leaders have always endeavoured to take their wounded and dead with them. So why is it that now, as Israel is battling for a new and better future, six prisoners of war remain in Arab captivity, and one American Jew continues to sit in a squalid prison because he tried to assist his nation?  Israel is pursuing peace with its enemies, and trying to navigate a dangerous course through uncharted terrain with potential disaster lurking behind every turn.  At the same time, however, Israel's heroes are captive, and unable to join the pursuit of peace so important to every Jew. These heroes are members of the Israeli Armed Forces elite -- the front line soldiers who were willing to die for their country because they knew that their country would ensure them a Jewish grave or a Jewish life.  These are the six that their country has seemingly forgotten.  They have neither a Jewish grave nor a Jewish life.  Only their Jewish names continue to live in the minds and hearts of Jewish patriots around the world. Israel's government has decided to pursue peace with its neighbours, in the interest of living in greater freedom within the Jewish homeland.  At this time of freedom and renewal for the Jews, it is imperative that Israel make the safe return of these six heroes a condition of continuing the negotiations with Syria and the PLO.  At the same time, Israel must make the freedom and immigration to Israel of Jonathan Pollard a condition of future co-operation with the United States' program embodied in the Madrid process. Six Israeli soldiers are held captive in Arab countries because they were willing to defend their nation.  One American Jew is in prison because he helped the Jewish state when no one else would.  It is imperative that these seven heroic Jews be given their freedom at this time of freedom.  Their lives depend on it.  Jewish security depends on it.  Peace depends on it. Copyright 1995.  Reproduction in electronic or print format by permission only.