From the widespread protest in support of a soldier who cocked his gun in self-defense, to the outspoken cries of bereaved family members at yesterday’s memorial event, we are witnessing an unprecedented awakening. But we must do our part to continue and increase these peaceful protests. Now that we have witnessed these displays and calls for truth and justice, we must continue to do more.
The defense system must do its work of loyally fighting the enemies of the Jewish People. The memory of the martyrs who fell in the wars of Israel for the sake of sanctifying God’s Name impels us to continue their work by steadfastly fighting the enemies who rise up to destroy us, as our Holy Torah instructs us, “If someone gets up to kill you, rise early to kill him [first].”
Unfortunately, the heads of state have lost their sense of direction. On the one hand, they tie the hands of IDF soldiers behind their backs, preventing them from retaliating effectively in the face of real terror by a real enemy, who murders Jews and attempts to rob us of our land (another recent story explained how a gun safety measure almost cost an officer his life).
On the other hand, the Defense Minister stands up and tells the bereaved families that what is needed is “to fight with an iron fist against the terror that is mistakenly referred to as ‘price tag’” – a miserable phrase that practically tells the families of IDF martyrs that their sons’ murderers are no worse than those who spray graffiti on walls, and puncture tires.
The task of the defense forces at the national level is to act like the immune system in the human body. However, when the immune system is unwell, it attacks healthy parts of the body instead of dangerous invaders in the form of bacteria and viruses etc. Unfortunately, the defense system has currently deteriorated to act in this manner (including the ongoing seizure of our yeshivah in Yitzhar). This is reminiscent of the sages’ statement, “Anyone who is compassionate towards the cruel will eventually be cruel to those who are compassionate,” God forbid.
The defense system must be healed, as a result of which the current predicament will automatically be solved.
We must return to the values of Jewish morality, and the ability to distinguish between friend and foe, in a proper state of awareness that is able to relate to issues with the correct proportions and in their correct context. This is why I encourage everyone to peacefully speak out for truth and justice, morality according to our Holy Torah, in whatever way possible.
Originally published at Gal Einai, Gateway to the Inner Dimension of the Torah