The church and the government of Rome set Wednesday, March 6, 1430, as the day when all the Jews of Rome must convert or face death. On that day a great earthquake shook Rome and many of the archbishops and priests who conceived the decree were killed. Following the earthquake, Pope Martin V annulled the decree.
Thoughts can give life. Thoughts can kill.
For example, a soldier. The Torah commands a soldier at war, “Do not allow your heart to weaken. Do not fear. Do not panic.”
Imagine this: An army is racing towards you. Your eyes have witnessed their savagery. How can you command your heart not to fear?
Maimonides explains: Don't think those thoughts and you will not fear. Dodge them as you dodge a flying arrow.
Because such thoughts threaten not only your life, they endanger the entire nation.
A soldier must think only one thought: What must I do right now?
Today, we are all soldiers.