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Israelis demonstrate for two reasons:
We often need to cry out or demonstrate against our crises.
On the one hand, elected officials cannot prevent the crises, although a glance at the newspapers and the media would seem to indicate that they were a result of faulty political decisions.
On the other hand, people waste valuable energy protesting against the wrong party. Perhaps they should devote their energies to protesting earnestly - praying - to the Source of the problem. They should carry out an introspection to determine and correct things that they have done that are wrong, rather than to protest against the tool for their punishment.
In many cases, it becomes clear that the these problems can be traced to a Higher Force. The Torah clearly states that Israel is a gift to the Jews but a conditional gift. If they are entitled to the gift then they will earn it. If they are not entitled to it or if they do things that remove that entitlement, then Israel will be removed from them accordingly. If they follow the Torah then Israel will flourish. If they do not follow the Torah then it will languish.
Thus, when a situation arises whereby people do not follow the Torah and sure enough they do feel the brutal results of their wrongdoing, it would be counterproductive to protest against the senior elected officials.
For some strange reason people do not realize this. Whether they accept the fact that they have done wrong, or they just do not think about it, is not the issue. They protest the immediate problem, which they feel was caused by a governmental decision.
Of course, such protests nearly always fail.
However, they do raise another question: What would happen if the protest would succeed? Let us look at the protest itself. Very often the protests turn into violence or into illegal activities such as blocking traffic or physical violence.
We care about our country. It is important and precious to us.
We want to accomplish and achieve the Israel that we feel should exist. This is the time to do it - while Israel is still young.
Our issues are more than theoretical or technical. They affect more than our pocketbook. They are the basis for our way of life, ideals, and goals. Many of us want to pressure others to do things the right way - as we see it.
This is a positive situation. It's a sign that a vibrant Jewish community is trying to lead and develop the country in the way they know will have an impact on Jewry for the rest of time.
We protest out of love. No protest could possibly be stronger!
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Perhaps a more important consideration would be to determine who is behind the demonstration. If it's not a grass roots issue but rather an issue that is organized by politicians, be sure that you agree with their point of view.
All too many people have been convinced to go to demonstrations only to find out that it was a platform for a politician to present his views so that he can be re-elected.
You might have other goals.
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