Four reasons for Jewish self-respect at Rosh Hashanah

We have just witnessed the Michigan primaries in which the leftist, self-proclaimed antizionist, democratic socialist candidate squeaked out a victory over the “centrist” Democrat candidate. We have just seen the House vote to cut off aid to Israel, which more than 100 Democrats supported. We also hear politically-far right broadcasters continue their diatribes against Israel, and Jews in America. As has always been the case throughout Jewish history, Jews are caught in the middle. Our response, in the past, to these provocateurs, has usually been cautious and tepid. Many Diaspora Jews believed that we should continue to act deferentially, and not rock the boat. Ultimately — the hopeful thinking went — antisemites will be convinced of our goodness, and will moderate their animosity towards us. With the tremendous rise in antisemitism here and abroad, we run the risk of diminishing Jewish self-respect. Reports indicate that many Jews are afraid of expressing their Jewishness publicly. They are afraid to voice their solid support for Israel. They may even begin to develop negative feelings about their, or their fellows’ Jewish identity. We therefore need a good strong dose of chizzuk. Chizzuk means strengthening the Jewish psyche. With a new Jewish year approaching, we would do well to think about casting aside, in the coming year, the odious comments of those who wish to belittle, demean, and excoriate us. This coming year ought to be one in which we exhibit pride in who we are, what we represent, and how Israel — our national homeland — showcases the best of our peoples’ self - determination. In short, it is time to stop apologizing for who we are, how we act, and how our Jewish national leaders conduct themselves. Fellow Jews who maintain that antisemitism would greatly diminish “if only the Israeli government would change” are mistaken, and suffer from four intellectual deficiencies. First, insisting that Israel is a democracy “just like America” is neither helpful nor necessary. Nowhere does our tradition demand that we establish a democracy as our form of government. Yes, many democratic practices fit nicely within a Jewish framework. But, we are not commanded to grant each and every person the exact same rights. In fact, we are commanded to rid the land of vicious attackers, who, if not removed, will remain a “thorn in our side.” Those non-Jews who live in Israel and respect Jewish law as it applies to them are quite welcome to remain and prosper with everyone else. The Torah, itself, refers to these people as “ger toshav” — resident aliens — who must be treated respectfully and fairly. We are not obligated, however, to extend courtesies of any kind to those who seek to injure, kill, or expel our people. Second, Jews are not “occupying” Palestine. Quite the contrary. Since the time of Abraham and Sarah, 3,800 years ago, Jews have always lived in Judea, Samaria, and other parts of the country. That makes us the “indigenous people of the area.” Indigenous, despite forcible removal of large numbers of Jews by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans. Indeed, only after the year 632 CE did Islam become a force which sought to dominate the Middle East. Even moderate Islam treats Jews as dhimmi, or second class citizens, who must pay a heavy jizya, or “protection tax.” This is to say nothing of those violent Islamists who wish to rid Israel of Jews. We do not have to issue a mea culpa for stealing anyone’s land. It is Jewish land, and anyone who wishes to live peacefully will benefit from the Israeli health, education and welfare systems which tower above so many other neighboring countries’ systems. Third, too many uninformed (or self-deluding) people believe that what the Palestinian authority, or Hamas, or Hezbollah, wants is equal rights for Arabs in Israel (much of which they already have), or that the two-state solution will magically solve the conflict. Sadly, these people have not read (or, perhaps, do not believe) the charter of the Palestinian Authority. They have not seen interviews with Hezbollah or Hamas leaders, who have said time and again that their goal is to liberate “Palestine” from the river to the sea. That means, in plain English, expelling or murdering Jews. Only willful blindness, or tremendous ignorance can interpret their statement any other way. Jews who live 6,000 miles away from the conflict allow themselves the luxury of re-imagining what violent Islamists actually mean. When a Jew understands Middle-East language and attitudes, he then understands how to act in that part of the world. We, who live in lovely homes in America, under a benevolent democracy, would do well to remember this. Fourth, the Diaspora has created a type of Jew who is a lovely person, but who has adopted yet another intellectual weakness. When Israelis say that Jews must remain powerful, secure and eagle-eyed, and that the safety of the Jewish people is paramount, too many Diaspora Jews assume that such beliefs are oppressive. They are horrified that any Jews would speak in military, rather than martyr-like terms. Better to think about making more room (in a variety of ways) for others, and shrinking our own position. Withdraw from land, become empathetic (a word that has become overused in our day) with the “oppressed”; take it upon ourselves to solve antisemitism (“if only we did this, or acted that way”). These actions, they claim, will surely bring an end to antisemitism. Then we can feel good about our Jewish selves. To such lovely, but misguided intentions, we respond that all of them have been tried numerous times, and all have failed. If self-diminishment and withdrawal is all we can offer to feel good, we don’t deserve the title “Yisrael.” Yisrael means the Jew who wrestles with God and with other people, and WINS (Genesis 25-29). That must be our mindset for this coming year and the years to follow. It is not enough to call oneself a Jew. Rather, a Jew should identify as an integral part of B’nai Yisrael — the children of Israel; those who can wrestle with other humans and even with God, and come out victorious. This year, in addition to the other blessings for which we pray, let us pray for a victorious Israel, which will win the respect of all nations, and even more importantly, the unfettered support of every Jew around the world. May we thank God this year that we have a national country which will be a “light unto the nations,” just as the Prophets predicted. Shanah Tovah. A good year filled with blessings for all.