ushers in a period of asking God for forgiveness …. not necessarily repentance as the wrongdoings continue. I am speaking specifically of the sins connected with hatred. Not only are they continuing, they are intensifying.

The Hebrew month of

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Let’s have a look….

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The sin of occupation … not just a question of illegally ruling over a land that is not theirs, but denying the inhabitants the right to earn a living or benefit from medical care or education.

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A Palestinian clearing an olive tree knocked down by Israeli bulldozer. Photo by AP

* The sin of murder … sanctioned by ‘religious’ leaders. *

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The sin of waging and encouraging wars … and whitewashing them.

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The murder of innocent children …

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All of the above are direct violations of God’s words … how can they be forgiven?

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