If I hear the word "terror" one more time, I shall scream. I have heard it at least 3,692 times over the past few weeks; 36,922 times over the past few months; and infinitely more times than that over the past few years. Both the president of the United States and the prime minister of Israel cannot deliver a simple one-sentence speech without multi-mentioning the menace of terror. The newspapers cannot write an article, even if the subject is interior decorating, without somehow including it.
I do not think I have it in me to hear the word again. It has become the bete noir of the world and the raison d'etre of all our nightmares. The absolute trademark of our time. It is considered the beginning and end of all our troubles. If only we can succeed in eliminating it, peace and goodwill shall grace the world. Even the Jews will be forgiven their sins and enjoy a period of universal exoneration and approbation. (We all know that terror originated as the result of the Jewish conquest of Palestine and the resultant intolerable injustices perpetuated upon the newly emerged Palestinian nation.)
For the Jewish State, the end of terror will herald a new and blessed era. The Messiah, riding a white donkey, will finally appear on the horizon of the Mt. of Olives. The Israel Defense Forces will be able to pack up and go home; peace will spread its wings over the Children of Israel like a white dove. The Israeli economy will flourish; tourists will come in droves; and Zion shall become a world center of... of what? Well, if not Torah, then at least of hi-tech. Everyone approves of hi-tech.
Except that it's all a lie. Terror is not the source of our, and the world's, problems. It is simply the manifestation of the disease. Please don't get me wrong. I'm all for eliminating terror. Treating the symptoms of a disease is often the first step towards a cure. But a symptom may disappear while the disease lives on, waiting for another hour, another day, another opportunity to strike.
Firstly, one should give the child a proper and truthful name. Terror is not just a worldwide disease. It is primarily an Arab disease. Not every Arab is a terrorist, but 99.99% of the terrorists in the world are Arabs. That is an uncomfortable fact that the liberals and the politically correct among us prefer to overlook.
Secondly, Arab terror may include a deadly dose of general hatred for the Western world, but it is first and foremost focused on the Jewish People. No, not the Jewish State, but the Jewish People (we'll get to the state in a moment). It is simply the latest manifestation of the ages-old anti-Semitic syndrome - sinat Esav, hatred of Esau for his brother Jacob, even when it manifests itself in the descendants of Yishmael. In keeping with the blessings he received, Yishmael was destined for greatness, albeit of a negative sort. G-d promised: "I shall make him into a great nation." But later on, the Torah continues: "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man and every man's hand against him."
We are not surprised, therefore, at the rise of Arab power and terrorism. It is the fulfillment of a prophecy. The sons of Yishmael are a source of suffering for all of humanity, but they are an especially potent source of suffering for the Jewish people. Thousands of years before the rise of Islam, the Zohar prophesized that a day would come when the Arabs would rise up and cause horrendous harm, especially in regard to the Land of Israel, for the Jewish People.
Jews who are imbued with Jewish values and belief understand intuitively that Arab terror is just another form of anti-Semitism, hatred for the sons of Jacob. (One doesn't even have to be overly bright to figure it out. The Arabs say it themselves.) And since the State of Israel is the most prominent, visible Jewish symbol to aim for, it is the most obvious focal point for anti-Semitic Arab terror and violence. No matter what one's relationship with Zionism or Israel, and no matter what deficiencies are extant in the Jewish state (and there are many), for the world out there, the Jewish State is the symbol of Judaism and the Jewish People as a whole, and it is responsible for all real and imagined evils.
The ancient Greeks fought Torah through seemingly civilized discourse and culture before they resorted to force. The Romans, in keeping with their own more violent culture, fought Torah and killed Jews in the name of Roman law. Peace-loving Christianity slaughtered Jews for 1,800 years in the name of G-d and love. The Germans exterminated us in the name of racial purity. Now that slaughtering is no longer in style, the liberal, humane, contemporary Western world seeks to annihilate us with words, laws, decrees, boycotts, politics, accusations - all in the name of universal peace and justice.
I suppose it's preferable to be annihilated with words rather than with swords and guns (although the Arabs use both with great skill), but it's worth our while to remember that it's all part of the same unceasing warfare against G-d's Chosen People, and by extension, against G-d Himself. (Note: "Chosen" does not mean superior; it means chosen to bear the responsibilities and exemplify G-d's will in this imperfect world of ours.)
Yet, this is where we find our consolation. As we attempt to weather the storms which come our way, we are constantly reminded that we are an "am levadad yishkon" ? a nation which dwells alone. The world may tolerate us during certain historical periods; it may even treat us graciously, allowing us to rise to great heights. But then, sinat Eisav surfaces again, focusing on one or another available Jewish symbol.
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik said that whatever mitzvah (commandment), or minhag (custom) or symbol the gentile world chooses to focus on to castigate and oppress the Jews, that particular symbol becomes the symbol of Judaism for that time. For the Greeks, in the time of the Macabees, it was circumcision. For the Romans, in Rabbi Akiva's time, it was Torah study. In the Middle Ages, it was Judaism in toto, when Jews were offered conversion or death. In our own time, it seems to be the State of Israel.
In today's liberal world, religion is no longer a relevant, national issue. It's a private affair. No one minds if a Jew keeps the Sabbath or studies Torah. Instead, the Jewish State has become the world's pariah. Primitive tribes may have the right to independence and freedom, but Jews? Since when do Jews need a sovereign state? Israel is the only state in the world whose inherent right to exist is not self-evident. Obviously, sovereignty is not considered an option for Jews.
On the other hand, when we did not have a place or a possibility of governing ourselves, we were universal aliens. When we could not support ourselves honorably, we were considered parasites. When most Jews looked and lived like Jews, they were deemed strange creatures, different from normal people. When we assimilated and looked like everyone else, we were accused of conniving to infiltrate and subversively influence nations and cultures not our own.
When in Europe, we were told to "go home" to Palestine. In Palestine / Israel, we are now told the country belongs to Yishmael. No matter what we do, where we are, how we live ? with Torah or, chas v'chalilah, without; in Eretz Yisrael or in the Diaspora ? the world will find a reason to separate us from the rest of humanity.
And they are right. We are separate. In the classic Jewish joke, one fellow says, "Everyone hates me!" When told he is paranoid, he responds, "No, I'm not. I'm Jewish!" We aren't paranoid, but we are different, like Avraham Ha-Ivri, alone, on one side of the river, facing the rest of humanity.
Terror, then, is not the issue. We are facing sinat Esav as we fight G-d's battle in this world. May He give us the strength to carry our burden honorably and to act wisely. And may He give us the wisdom to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves, our people, our Land, and to help bring the Final Redemption quickly.
Yaffa Ganz © 2005
I do not think I have it in me to hear the word again. It has become the bete noir of the world and the raison d'etre of all our nightmares. The absolute trademark of our time. It is considered the beginning and end of all our troubles. If only we can succeed in eliminating it, peace and goodwill shall grace the world. Even the Jews will be forgiven their sins and enjoy a period of universal exoneration and approbation. (We all know that terror originated as the result of the Jewish conquest of Palestine and the resultant intolerable injustices perpetuated upon the newly emerged Palestinian nation.)
For the Jewish State, the end of terror will herald a new and blessed era. The Messiah, riding a white donkey, will finally appear on the horizon of the Mt. of Olives. The Israel Defense Forces will be able to pack up and go home; peace will spread its wings over the Children of Israel like a white dove. The Israeli economy will flourish; tourists will come in droves; and Zion shall become a world center of... of what? Well, if not Torah, then at least of hi-tech. Everyone approves of hi-tech.
Except that it's all a lie. Terror is not the source of our, and the world's, problems. It is simply the manifestation of the disease. Please don't get me wrong. I'm all for eliminating terror. Treating the symptoms of a disease is often the first step towards a cure. But a symptom may disappear while the disease lives on, waiting for another hour, another day, another opportunity to strike.
Firstly, one should give the child a proper and truthful name. Terror is not just a worldwide disease. It is primarily an Arab disease. Not every Arab is a terrorist, but 99.99% of the terrorists in the world are Arabs. That is an uncomfortable fact that the liberals and the politically correct among us prefer to overlook.
Secondly, Arab terror may include a deadly dose of general hatred for the Western world, but it is first and foremost focused on the Jewish People. No, not the Jewish State, but the Jewish People (we'll get to the state in a moment). It is simply the latest manifestation of the ages-old anti-Semitic syndrome - sinat Esav, hatred of Esau for his brother Jacob, even when it manifests itself in the descendants of Yishmael. In keeping with the blessings he received, Yishmael was destined for greatness, albeit of a negative sort. G-d promised: "I shall make him into a great nation." But later on, the Torah continues: "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man and every man's hand against him."
We are not surprised, therefore, at the rise of Arab power and terrorism. It is the fulfillment of a prophecy. The sons of Yishmael are a source of suffering for all of humanity, but they are an especially potent source of suffering for the Jewish people. Thousands of years before the rise of Islam, the Zohar prophesized that a day would come when the Arabs would rise up and cause horrendous harm, especially in regard to the Land of Israel, for the Jewish People.
Jews who are imbued with Jewish values and belief understand intuitively that Arab terror is just another form of anti-Semitism, hatred for the sons of Jacob. (One doesn't even have to be overly bright to figure it out. The Arabs say it themselves.) And since the State of Israel is the most prominent, visible Jewish symbol to aim for, it is the most obvious focal point for anti-Semitic Arab terror and violence. No matter what one's relationship with Zionism or Israel, and no matter what deficiencies are extant in the Jewish state (and there are many), for the world out there, the Jewish State is the symbol of Judaism and the Jewish People as a whole, and it is responsible for all real and imagined evils.
The ancient Greeks fought Torah through seemingly civilized discourse and culture before they resorted to force. The Romans, in keeping with their own more violent culture, fought Torah and killed Jews in the name of Roman law. Peace-loving Christianity slaughtered Jews for 1,800 years in the name of G-d and love. The Germans exterminated us in the name of racial purity. Now that slaughtering is no longer in style, the liberal, humane, contemporary Western world seeks to annihilate us with words, laws, decrees, boycotts, politics, accusations - all in the name of universal peace and justice.
I suppose it's preferable to be annihilated with words rather than with swords and guns (although the Arabs use both with great skill), but it's worth our while to remember that it's all part of the same unceasing warfare against G-d's Chosen People, and by extension, against G-d Himself. (Note: "Chosen" does not mean superior; it means chosen to bear the responsibilities and exemplify G-d's will in this imperfect world of ours.)
Yet, this is where we find our consolation. As we attempt to weather the storms which come our way, we are constantly reminded that we are an "am levadad yishkon" ? a nation which dwells alone. The world may tolerate us during certain historical periods; it may even treat us graciously, allowing us to rise to great heights. But then, sinat Eisav surfaces again, focusing on one or another available Jewish symbol.
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik said that whatever mitzvah (commandment), or minhag (custom) or symbol the gentile world chooses to focus on to castigate and oppress the Jews, that particular symbol becomes the symbol of Judaism for that time. For the Greeks, in the time of the Macabees, it was circumcision. For the Romans, in Rabbi Akiva's time, it was Torah study. In the Middle Ages, it was Judaism in toto, when Jews were offered conversion or death. In our own time, it seems to be the State of Israel.
In today's liberal world, religion is no longer a relevant, national issue. It's a private affair. No one minds if a Jew keeps the Sabbath or studies Torah. Instead, the Jewish State has become the world's pariah. Primitive tribes may have the right to independence and freedom, but Jews? Since when do Jews need a sovereign state? Israel is the only state in the world whose inherent right to exist is not self-evident. Obviously, sovereignty is not considered an option for Jews.
On the other hand, when we did not have a place or a possibility of governing ourselves, we were universal aliens. When we could not support ourselves honorably, we were considered parasites. When most Jews looked and lived like Jews, they were deemed strange creatures, different from normal people. When we assimilated and looked like everyone else, we were accused of conniving to infiltrate and subversively influence nations and cultures not our own.
When in Europe, we were told to "go home" to Palestine. In Palestine / Israel, we are now told the country belongs to Yishmael. No matter what we do, where we are, how we live ? with Torah or, chas v'chalilah, without; in Eretz Yisrael or in the Diaspora ? the world will find a reason to separate us from the rest of humanity.
And they are right. We are separate. In the classic Jewish joke, one fellow says, "Everyone hates me!" When told he is paranoid, he responds, "No, I'm not. I'm Jewish!" We aren't paranoid, but we are different, like Avraham Ha-Ivri, alone, on one side of the river, facing the rest of humanity.
Terror, then, is not the issue. We are facing sinat Esav as we fight G-d's battle in this world. May He give us the strength to carry our burden honorably and to act wisely. And may He give us the wisdom to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves, our people, our Land, and to help bring the Final Redemption quickly.
Yaffa Ganz © 2005