The cabinet discussed the proposal by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush regarding the preparations for Israelis’ travel to Uman in Ukraine ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that in his conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the latter had made it clear that there are not enough shelters in Uman for local residents, let alone foreign tourists.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu would like to underscore the following for those traveling to Uman” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
“Israeli citizens who are traveling to Ukraine need to act responsibly regarding their trips at this time. Hashem has not always protected us, both on Ukrainian and other European soil”.
“It must be understood that in the State of Israel, when missiles fall on us, citizens enter shelters and there is protection. There, there are no shelters and no protection.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the Minister for Foreign Affairs to underscore the MFA travel warning regarding Ukraine and detail the threat involved in traveling there.
Meanwhile, as assumed, his words ignited a massive response from religious leaders blasting him for such horrific comments about the protection of G-D.
Those in his inner circles though confirmed they were just “words of ignorance” and nothing more than that.
Others, like “Gill” from ‘Torah Musings’ said: “I’m seeing people say that Netanyahu said something blasphemous by saying that God doesn’t always protect us, particularly in a war zone. This is just political nonsense. A secular Israeli politician is not a source of traditional Jewish belief but in this case, he did not say anything theologically controversial. The Talmud says many times that when danger is common, we cannot expect special divine protection.”
Absolutely right. Just ask the survivors whose children, wives, parents were gassed and burnt alive – why look for certain death or G-d forbid accidents while in these war torn places??
הסתר אסתר….. There are times when we are NOT protected
The concept you’re referencing is found in the Talmud, Tractate Bava Kamma 60a. The Gemara discusses dangers and how even the righteous can be harmed when a calamity befalls a place. The Talmud states that when the Angel of Death is given permission to destroy, it does not distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. This emphasizes the idea that in times of collective danger, individual merit may not always provide protection