The Jewish answer
The Torah tells us at the beginning of the book of Shmoth (Exodus) that the more the Egyptians oppressed the Jewish people, kein yirbe v'kein yifrotz, the more numerous they became. The Rabbis comment in the Medrash on that chapter that each Jewish woman gave birth to six children from each pregnancy!The Jews of Judea and Samaria have apparently been taking lessons from our forefathers in Egypt. No, I don't think they're having six children at a time, but they are managing to continue to increase the Jewish population of Judea and Samaria despite the adverse conditions of the last six months.
The growth of the settler population slowed slightly in the first five months of 2010, but the numbers still rose at almost three times the national average, according to Central Bureau of Statistics data released this week. This despite the government’s efforts to dramatically curb construction in settlements.May the Jews of Judea and Samaria continue to follow in the path of our forefathers. Heh.
Based on the figures for January 1- June 1, the CBS projected a 4.8 percent rise in the settlers’ numbers for 2010 as a whole, down slightly from 5.3% in 2009. The projected rise for 2009 was similarly down to 4.9% when measured in September of that year, but the rate had risen by the year’s end.
The nationwide population rose by 1.8% in each of the two years.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:13 PM
1 Comments:
Carl - the Parshat for this Shabbat is Chayei Sarah.
Thousands of Jews are going to Hebron to the Machepalah to pay respects to Israel's first mother.
I submit that the Jewish answer - to be there where it all began and where the past meets the present.
Shabbat Shalom!
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