A debacle created by our appeasement

The definition of a miracle according to Webster’s Dictionary is an “unusual event” that defies rational explanation. This Hanukkah, we have two such events that we should carefully think of and discuss with our families.

The first is the story of the Maccabees, the miracle of that single cruse of oil that should have only lasted one day, but miraculously lasted eight days and brought to the world a new way of life based on the principles of freedom and human dignity.

The other miracle stems from the fact that ten years ago, the Allies suspected that Iran was trying to acquire nuclear weapons. They began engaging them in talks demanding that Iran cease its nuclear weapons program. When the talks began, Iran had fewer than 160 centrifuges. Then that miracle or “unusual event” occurred: Instead of acting, the world leaders, including the United States, kept talking and talking and talking — and suddenly, those 160 centrifuges turned into 18,000.

Yes, they were both “unusual events.”

One was a “miracle” that continues to enhance our world.

And the other, a debacle created by our appeasement, which has brought us to this day where the whole world is relying and placing its fate on the goodwill of Iran’s Supreme Leader who still lives in the twelfth century.

Rabbi Marvin Hier is the founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.