Rabbi Yitzchak Dadon is a Jew who has not been confused by misplaced love theories. That is why he did the right thing at the right time, attacking the terrorist and putting two bullets in his head. But then he made a major media blunder. The two religious reporters of Israel’s television stations, enthusiastically interviewing the hero of the evening in a live broadcast, got more than they bargained for. Rabbi Dadon insisted on associating the massacre in the yeshiva with Shimon Peres – the man who armed the terrorists – and with Ehud Olmert – who has picked up where Peres left off. The two reporters quickly cut Rabbi Dadon off, attempting to censor the forbidden words.
The media was in a bind. The story’s hero didn’t learn his lines and said all the wrong things. But they quickly found a solution. It was IDF Captain David Shapira, the yeshiva graduate who continued to shoot the terrorist after Dadon had already severely wounded or possibly killed him, who became the new hero. He was perfect for the part. Still serving in the army, he could not give interviews or say embarrassing, forbidden truths on live national news broadcasts.
When a Jew is killed in a car accident, it hurts. If he is killed in war, it hurts even more and touches the entire nation. But if he is murdered simply because he is a Jew the pain is the greatest of all, because the insult to the nation’s honor adds its own, unbearable dimension to the personal and communal pain. The massacre in the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva is a horrible desecration of G-d’s Name.
The two heroes – Rabbi Yitzchak Dadon and Captain David Shapira – who killed the terrorist made the desecration of G-d’s Name slightly less horrific when they killed the murderer. For Rabbi Dadon, killing the terrorist was not enough. Every reporter with a microphone wanted to interview the hero of the latest terror attack, but not allow him to point to the people and Israeli policies responsible. Nevertheless, Rabbi Dadon insisted on repeating that the pure, righteous yeshiva students were murdered because of the evil stupidity of those Israeli politicians who have brought death into our homes. True to form, the media deleted Dadon from the story. Thus is the importance of the Likud initiative to honor him.
The Likud held a memorial service for the eight fallen yeshiva boys, and a salute to Rabbi Dadon and Captain Shapira, on Tuesday, 11 Adar II (March 18) at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel. The two heroes were presented with certificates of honor. Rabbi Dadon humbly took the stage and described the chain of events on that horrible night to the hundreds of attendees. It was obvious from his manner and words that he was trying to divert attention from his pivotal role in eliminating the murderer.
In his speech, Rabbi Dadon compared the current situation in Israel to the story of Purim. He pointed out that Achashveirosh also wanted peace and quiet. He thought that by appeasing Haman, he would bring peace and security to his kingdom. But Haman was not a partner. He was a murderer, who sowed death and destruction wherever he went. Rabbi Dadon’s modest words could not hide his inner courage and proud, Jewish strength. It is no surprise that he was brave enough to assault the terrorist. With G-d’s help, we will see more of him as a national leader.
MK Moshe Kahlon and former MK Gila Gamliel also attended the program. Kahlon called on the Shas Party to exhibit responsibility and topple the Olmert government before Olmert divides Jerusalem.
The certificate of honor was presented to Rabbi Dadon by Eli Sheetrit of the Likud Tegar fellowship, comprised of the fighters from the pre-state Etzel and Lechi undergrounds. Tens of Tegar members attended the ceremony, emphasizing the fact that Rabbi Dadon has continued the battle for the Jewish state where they left off.
The murder of Jews is not an irreversible fact of life. It is fostered by the people who give the murderers weapons. These people are responsible for the murders and for the terrible desecration of G-d’s Name. In the program’s keynote address, I said, “Olmert wants us to get used to the situation (as he suggested in Ashkelon), but we declare here and now that we will not get used to it! We will continue our struggle to establish Jewish leadership that cares about Jewish blood – leadership that strikes all those who try to harm the Jewish people.”
To learn more about Moshe Feiglin and Manhigut Yehudit (Jewish Leadership), and their plan for Israel’s future – and to order Feiglin’s newest book, The War of Dreams– visit http://www.jewishisrael.org/.
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