Anti-Semitism Rising? Or Just Poking its Head out of its Hole?

As if the events in Israel over the past few months were not bad enough, this week there seemed to be a lot of indications that Anti-Semitism is on the rise. From incidents in London and Montreal, to the anti-semitic ramblings of internationally acclaimed idiots like Ahamedinjad and Gibson,  it seems that somehow over the past few weeks, the world has gotten a little more Anti-Semitic. Or has it?

Do I think that that Mel Gibson was any more Anti-Semitic when he was pulled over in California than he was when he produced the 'Passion'? Or for that matter, when he starred in Mad Max a quarter of a century ago? And regardless if Mohammed Ahmednijad would be President of Iran or if he would be a simple Engineering Professor at an Iranian University, I don't doubt for a minute that he would still be an Anti-Semite. So what's different now than a year ago? Or five years ago? Answer: The Cojones of Anti-semites and Israel's recent non-successful campaign in Lebanon.

Because of Hezbollah's showing (argue that I am wrong if you will, but anything short of the complete and utter destruction of Hizbollah, translates into a loss for Israel) in the recent conflict, Anti-Semites feel more brazen, as if the Karma of the world makes it easier to take shots at Israel and the Jews, as if G-d is mad at the Jews, so take advantage.

But make no mistake, those feelings didn't surface because of Qana. Those feelings were there before, they are there now, and they will continue to be there for many years to come.

But, despite all of this, I walk with my head held high, because whenever I read about these events, and however frightened I am that my number might be next, I am comforted by the words from the passover Hagaddah:

... and so it was when they (our enemies) stood up against us and our ancestors, for it was not just once - but in every generation that they rose up and tried  to destroy us, but the Holy one, may he be blessed, saved us from their hands.

Maybe this too is just another example of Anti-Semitism rearing its ugly head. Who knows, it might just see its shadow and bring forth the coming of our Moshiach and finally dissapear.