Whenever tragedy strikes, the human reaction to it is to ask "Why?" Since human beings crave certainty, predictability and rational order in their lives, the question "Why?" is certainly an understandable one from the human point of view. However, there is perhaps no question in the history of human existence that has escaped answer as consistently as does the question of "Why?" That does not mean that well-meaning humans will not continue to attempt to explain and answer "Why?" Yet, in all honesty, after all of the answers to "Why?" are posed, the enormity of tragedy and evil in the world overwhelms these feeble efforts to explain "Why?"
The pundits and official wise men of the world are all busy advancing reasons to explain the enormous evil that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans barely one month ago. The answers advanced in the political and diplomatic world range from the predictable "it is all because of Israel and the Palestinians" to it being the result of the clash of civilizations and cultures between Western democracy and Islamic fundamentalism. There is also a "Robin Hood" aspect attached to all of the terrorist groups and this brings with it a sense of justification, if not even sympathy, for their murderous behavior. Yet, none of these explanations of the terror that Israel, and now the rest of the world as well, is subjected to will stand up to the scrutiny of logic and facts. The major terrorist leaders in the world are all personally very wealthy men. The Palestinian Authority has stashed away many millions of dollars in private bank accounts and is perfectly willing to let those whom it claims to represent languish in poverty and desperation. Arafat could have had almost everything he demanded for his Palestinian Arabs, in terms of a state and a better life for them. So, then why did he say no to Barak's over-generous offers? Why, indeed? All of the apologists for him in the world media have labored mightily over the past year to come up with an answer to that "Why?" So far, they have been unable to answer the question.
Bin Laden, with his immense wealth, could do wonders for the poor Afghans and other Moslems the world over, whose cause he so loudly champions, but he prefers to spend his money on murdering innocents. The rulers of all of the Arab countries wallow in their personal oil riches, but very little of that wealth is reflected in the type of life of the average citizen of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc. There is no really legitimate political cause evident in the Arab or Moslem world that justifies the type of terrorism that it fosters and encourages. It defies all logic or reasoning. One sadly comes to the conclusion that hatred of the "other," irrational, unreasoning and completely unjustified, lies at the root of the violence. Such hatred does not respond to the rational question of "Why?" For in our most dangerous world, their irrational answer to the question of "Why?" is "Because!" That answer leaves little room for discussion, explanation, understanding and negotiation.
Since we are unable to truly answer the question "Why?" I believe that we should confine ourselves to the problem of what we should do to protect ourselves. I have heard all sorts of answers from the Israeli media and political and even religious leaders as to the question of "Why?" Most of their answers point to failings in Israeli and Jewish society. However, I think that there is little that can be done by Israel to answer the "Why?" question. Misplaced sympathies with the plight of our enemies, illusory dreams and false cease-fires and meetings, have all led nowhere. We need to protect ourselves and sit tight and wait for a change in the mindset of our enemies. I suggested this approach in a column of mine a few months ago. A Jew from New York wrote to me and said, "You can wait there in the danger of Israel. I prefer to wait it out in the comfort and safety of New York." Well, I think he is also going to be forced to sit and wait it out while the government of the United States hopefully takes all possible measures to prevent terrorist attacks on its shores and citizens from recurring.
There are no Biblical prophets left amongst us to answer "Why?" There is no one that can read God's mind, so to speak. So, we will have to shelve all of the fanciful answers to the question of "Why?" and just carry on with fortitude, faith and a firm resolve not to agree to national suicide.
Shabat Shalom and Chag Sameach.
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Rabbi Wein, noted author and lecturer, is founder of the Destiny Foundation, dedicated to educating Jews about their historical and ethical heritage (JewishDestiny.com ).
The pundits and official wise men of the world are all busy advancing reasons to explain the enormous evil that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans barely one month ago. The answers advanced in the political and diplomatic world range from the predictable "it is all because of Israel and the Palestinians" to it being the result of the clash of civilizations and cultures between Western democracy and Islamic fundamentalism. There is also a "Robin Hood" aspect attached to all of the terrorist groups and this brings with it a sense of justification, if not even sympathy, for their murderous behavior. Yet, none of these explanations of the terror that Israel, and now the rest of the world as well, is subjected to will stand up to the scrutiny of logic and facts. The major terrorist leaders in the world are all personally very wealthy men. The Palestinian Authority has stashed away many millions of dollars in private bank accounts and is perfectly willing to let those whom it claims to represent languish in poverty and desperation. Arafat could have had almost everything he demanded for his Palestinian Arabs, in terms of a state and a better life for them. So, then why did he say no to Barak's over-generous offers? Why, indeed? All of the apologists for him in the world media have labored mightily over the past year to come up with an answer to that "Why?" So far, they have been unable to answer the question.
Bin Laden, with his immense wealth, could do wonders for the poor Afghans and other Moslems the world over, whose cause he so loudly champions, but he prefers to spend his money on murdering innocents. The rulers of all of the Arab countries wallow in their personal oil riches, but very little of that wealth is reflected in the type of life of the average citizen of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc. There is no really legitimate political cause evident in the Arab or Moslem world that justifies the type of terrorism that it fosters and encourages. It defies all logic or reasoning. One sadly comes to the conclusion that hatred of the "other," irrational, unreasoning and completely unjustified, lies at the root of the violence. Such hatred does not respond to the rational question of "Why?" For in our most dangerous world, their irrational answer to the question of "Why?" is "Because!" That answer leaves little room for discussion, explanation, understanding and negotiation.
Since we are unable to truly answer the question "Why?" I believe that we should confine ourselves to the problem of what we should do to protect ourselves. I have heard all sorts of answers from the Israeli media and political and even religious leaders as to the question of "Why?" Most of their answers point to failings in Israeli and Jewish society. However, I think that there is little that can be done by Israel to answer the "Why?" question. Misplaced sympathies with the plight of our enemies, illusory dreams and false cease-fires and meetings, have all led nowhere. We need to protect ourselves and sit tight and wait for a change in the mindset of our enemies. I suggested this approach in a column of mine a few months ago. A Jew from New York wrote to me and said, "You can wait there in the danger of Israel. I prefer to wait it out in the comfort and safety of New York." Well, I think he is also going to be forced to sit and wait it out while the government of the United States hopefully takes all possible measures to prevent terrorist attacks on its shores and citizens from recurring.
There are no Biblical prophets left amongst us to answer "Why?" There is no one that can read God's mind, so to speak. So, we will have to shelve all of the fanciful answers to the question of "Why?" and just carry on with fortitude, faith and a firm resolve not to agree to national suicide.
Shabat Shalom and Chag Sameach.
-------------
Rabbi Wein, noted author and lecturer, is founder of the Destiny Foundation, dedicated to educating Jews about their historical and ethical heritage (JewishDestiny.com ).