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The fear of chaos and deterioration, writes Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, is the reason we stick with the status quo and avoid change. However, recent history has taught us that vision, determination and initiative can shape a new future that is better than the one we are so afraid of losing. The dramatic changes in the last few decades in the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish People and the transformation in relations between Israel and Germany are just two examples of such historic change and they prove that the Sages were right when they said that in this life what is distorted can and – should – be put right.

In a reality where chaos is always waiting around the corner, as in the Middle East, lack of change is interpreted as a good thing. Maintaining the status quo in such a reality is an achievement that provides a bit of stability and calm and gives everyday life a feeling of welcome normality. In recent months, we have succeeded – thanks to Benyamin Netanyahu and his government – in achieving a balanced status quo, whose stability the Prime Minister is successfully maintaining, despite the complicated circumstances. The brave decision to freeze settlements, as well as the major efforts not to alienate our friends in the international community, has avoided a situation in which Israel faces constant pressure and accusations.

 

Indeed, the international community is not at the moment pushing Israel to change the existing situation. The world – and in particular its leader, the US – is at the moment concerned with bigger issues than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – the disaster in Haiti, the deepening involvement in Afghanistan, the increasing terror in Yemen, economic difficulties in the US, the delicate situation of health reform in the US, etc.

 

I, however, do not view the moments of calm provided by current policy as being optimal. In this situation, we could definitely say: "Dayenu" (It is enough for us!). However, as you know, one of the predominant characteristics of this song is the way it continues to develop. Immediately after the first "Dayenu," the verses nonetheless offer us additional developments, over and over again.

 

As Jews, we learn to be happy with our lot in the world, which has not yet been redeemed. At the same time, we are, nonetheless, required to avoid stagnation.

 

Even if it is hard for us at the moment to imagine initiatives being taken in our foreign policy, we must be careful of a situation in which we are improving only our ability to respond and to defend ourselves while our creativity and initiative erode. Such a reality will lead Israeli society to settle for less and even to welcome this situation and view it as an achievement. It’s as if we have lost our faith in the idea that things can be better.

 

The recent observance of International Holocaust Day lets us look beyond the narrow horizon of the Middle East and to realize that change can be generated if it is sought with determination and despite the seemingly impassable barriers on the way. Seventy years ago, the Jewish People faced the most vicious enemy it had ever encountered, in the form of the Nazi regime. Over the years, and without blurring the memory of the Holocaust, Germany and Israel have traveled a long path together, to a point where Germany is a staunch ally of Israel and one of its best friends. The speech by the President of Israel to the Bundestag in Berlin, which was preceded by a visit of the Prime Minister and six of his ministers, could not have happened if Israelis and Germans did not believe that change is possible and had not bravely sought to achieve it.

 

The visit of the Pope to the Great Synagogue of Rome last month is another milestone in the long process that appears to be running counter to the flow of history. Pope Benedict the 16th is continuing to improve relations between the Catholic Church and the Jews, as did John Paul II, even though he was not known for his close relations with the Jewish People. The Church has come a long way since Pope Pius VI, who reigned during the Second World War. The relations between Jews and Christians, who started from the premise that Christian ideology was an ongoing threat to the existence of the Jewish People, reached a situation in which the visit of the Pope to the Great Synagogue of Rome seemed quite natural.

 

These two examples demonstrate that one shouldn’t be satisfied with the status quo and that we must always be trying to reshape the future. If Germany and the Catholic Church can change, then so can the Middle East.

 

Throughout the generations, Jews have learned that they must navigate through a world that is certainly complicated and not always sympathetic. However, in this situation, and in spite of it, we cannot tolerate stagnation. Even if a drastic change in Israel’s strategic situation is something that is difficult for us to accept in times like these, we must at least continue to aspire to change, with the understanding that such changes are indeed happening.

 

The Book of Ecclesiastes, which is known for its pessimistic outlook, not only expresses the general view that what was is what will be, but also denies the possibility of positive change. The author claims that "That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered"  (Ecclesiastes 1:15). The midrash could not accept the plain meaning of this verse and offered the following interpenetration: "In this world, someone who is crooked can be fixed and someone who is wanting can be counted but in the future it will not be possible to fix those who are crooked and someone who is wanting will not be counted" (Ecclesiastes Rabba, 1:15).The Sages did not accept this pessimistic viewpoint and turned it on its head when they claimed that in this world no situation is unchangeable and certainly this has not been decreed. Only death (when it comes) can prevent change. Our goal as human beings is not just to get through the day but also to reshape our character and nature. If we lower our expectations they will perhaps be fulfilled but we will remain in a world of mediocrity. We must create an ambitious political dialog that will seek out change every day, will not be satisfied with the status quo and will even be backed up with the appropriate actions. In the end, managing not to do any harm during a full term is a dubious achievement. In contrast, the ability to clearly formulate a new vision for Israeli society, and the Middle East as a whole, as well as the ability to stand behind such a vision and to implement it, is the true test of the government of Israel and its leader.