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There seems to be a pattern that weaves its way through human history.

A certain percentage of people are really honest, a certain percentage are really dishonest, and certain percentage are really in between. A certain percentage are really good neighbors, a certain percentage are really bad neighbors, and a certain percentage are really in between. A certain percentage really love their kids, a certain percentage really hate their kids, and a certain percentage are really in between.

The same goes for countries and nations and states. A certain percentage are really good, a certain percentage are really bad, and a certain percentage are really in between. 

Percentages. 

There seems to be a pattern that weaves its way through human history.

A certain percentage of people are really honest, a certain percentage are really dishonest, and certain percentage are really in between. A certain percentage are really good neighbors, a certain percentage are really bad neighbors, and a certain percentage are really in between. A certain percentage really love their kids, a certain percentage really hate their kids, and a certain percentage are really in between.

The same goes for countries and nations and states. A certain percentage are really good, a certain percentage are really bad, and a certain percentage are really in between. 

Percentages. 

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Hey y’all. I’m back.

Sorry about the extended bit of quiet. There have been lots of ups and downs, and ‘ups and downs’ is not conducive towards the kind of contemplative writing that I do here.

The kind of writing that I do other places… well, let’s just say that it tends to be unaffected by the vicissitudes of life.

Vicissitudes. Wow, I think that this is the first time that I’ve ever used that word in written form.

Hey, it’s a Monday, and a first. Please try to use vicissitude (vi-sis-i-tood) at least three times today.

Hey y’all. I’m back.

Sorry about the extended bit of quiet. There have been lots of ups and downs, and ‘ups and downs’ is not conducive towards the kind of contemplative writing that I do here.

The kind of writing that I do other places… well, let’s just say that it tends to be unaffected by the vicissitudes of life.

Vicissitudes. Wow, I think that this is the first time that I’ve ever used that word in written form.

Hey, it’s a Monday, and a first. Please try to use vicissitude (vi-sis-i-tood) at least three times today.

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I try not to mix too much of my personal faith into these articles. Or, maybe I should say that I try to keep it to a level that (I hope) is acceptable to everyone. Please feel free to take me to task when I have been less-than-professional in this regard.

I say that because I’m about to quote something from a book in Ketuvim, which is the ‘hk’ in the acronym Tanahk. It’s in the book of Shophtim (שֹּׁפְטִים - Judges). There’s this exchange of letters between Yiphtach (Jephthah) and the king of Ammon (present day Jordan).

I try not to mix too much of my personal faith into these articles. Or, maybe I should say that I try to keep it to a level that (I hope) is acceptable to everyone. Please feel free to take me to task when I have been less-than-professional in this regard.

I say that because I’m about to quote something from a book in Ketuvim, which is the ‘hk’ in the acronym Tanahk. It’s in the book of Shophtim (שֹּׁפְטִים - Judges). There’s this exchange of letters between Yiphtach (Jephthah) and the king of Ammon (present day Jordan).

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Yesterday, I gave you two reasons why Israel will not be able to give East Jerusalem to the Palestinians. One was that the average Israeli wouldn’t stand for it. Two was that the Palestinian leadership would screw up the process, anyway.

But, there is a three.

Most people do not know that the Jordanian royal family is the caretaker of the Mosque al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. They finance the waqf (Islamic religious endowment) that pays for the renovations of the buildings and the salaries of the caretakers for the buildings on the Temple Mount.  

Yesterday, I gave you two reasons why Israel will not be able to give East Jerusalem to the Palestinians. One was that the average Israeli wouldn’t stand for it. Two was that the Palestinian leadership would screw up the process, anyway.

But, there is a three.

Most people do not know that the Jordanian royal family is the caretaker of the Mosque al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. They finance the waqf (Islamic religious endowment) that pays for the renovations of the buildings and the salaries of the caretakers for the buildings on the Temple Mount.  

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So, am I worried that the Israeli government will succeed in giving away Jerusalem?

Nah.

First of all, there are LOTS of Israelis that feel like I do. ANY peace deal that threatens the smallest piece of Jerusalem… well, there would be an incredible level of resistance from a grassroots level all the way up into the highest levels of government.

Giving away Jerusalem could even spark a civil war. If you think that I’m being melodramatic, just ask the average Israeli senior citizen how many times Israel has strayed close to civil war.

So no, I’m not worried about the Israeli government giving away Jerusalem.

So, am I worried that the Israeli government will succeed in giving away Jerusalem?

Nah.

First of all, there are LOTS of Israelis that feel like I do. ANY peace deal that threatens the smallest piece of Jerusalem… well, there would be an incredible level of resistance from a grassroots level all the way up into the highest levels of government.

Giving away Jerusalem could even spark a civil war. If you think that I’m being melodramatic, just ask the average Israeli senior citizen how many times Israel has strayed close to civil war.

So no, I’m not worried about the Israeli government giving away Jerusalem.

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