Who knows how many people have weighed-in on the tragic shooting that took place at Fort Hood, when Dr. Nidal Milak Hasan allegedly murdered 13 people and wounded 29. I am choosing to address this issue from a Jewish perspective.
From a Jewish point of view, we are allowed to ask questions: Was this a terrorist attack? Is it part of a greater Muslim jihad? Did the radical Imam Anwar al-Awlaki motivate Dr. Hasan to take action? In the past, concerning Hasan, what did the military miss?
But from a Jewish point of view, we are not allowed to ask: Can we trust Muslims to serve in the military? Can we trust our fellow Muslims to be law-abiding citizens in our country?
Rather, we have no choice but to wait and be patient. In time, almost all of our questions will be answered when Hasan goes to trial. Let us resist the urge to jump to conclusions.
As we wait, let us remember how much we do have in common with our Muslim brothers and sisters in this nation. Reacting in this way helps preserve what binds so many disparate races, religions and cultures.
As citizens, we have a responsibility to participate in democracy. What unites us is our commitment to the experiment begun with the Declaration of Independence and the later signing of the Constitution, so many years ago.
It is up to us to strive to create a more perfect union, to welcome outsiders to our shores with open arms and to resist the balkanization and polarization of our nation. But at the same time, we should never be naive or passive when we see the true face of our enemy.
Right now, it is not clear that Hasan’s dreadful attack is anything other than an isolated incident; this shooting is not necessarily part of a grand Islamic terrorist plot to destroy our nation from within.
As we wait for answers, let us keep the victims of the Fort Hood in our thoughts and prayers. In addition, let us tip our hats to all who defend us … those who have served and those who continue to serve. We know of at least three in our congregation who are currently deployed. May they safely return to their family and friends.
Though Veterans Day was Nov. 11, whenever we see a Veteran at worship services or at a community event, we can say thank you. Whenever we see the relative of someone currently serving, we can say thank you. This is our civic duty and will help preserve and strengthen our demoncracy from within.
