"EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE EXCEPT . . ."

I recall Golda Meir saying something like:

"Everything is negotiable except the existence of the State of Israel."

That has always been the bottom line of the Yishuv despite those who wanted or were forced to absorb more and more land.

It is difficult to build when all those around want to destroy. Perhaps a good d'rash on Noah might be in order to remind us that thinking has become befuddled through ideology while the toref of these crippled post-Shoah generations has been: Give us a little peace/piece so we can heal. And then we'll work to bring the messianic redemption that we await with growing impatience.

Pray for freedom in a world of slaves.

Steven Bowman, Cincinnati