The World is Trembling
Tragedies are mounting in a fast and furious manner all around the world. The forces of terror, both foreign and domestic, are letting loose, as we shake our heads and wonder, “When will the craziness finally end?!” We feel helpless for we keenly feel our own limitations as we say to ourselves, “If only I could speak to this one or that one, perhaps I could show him that life (meaning everyone’s life) is sacred and has meaning.”
Alas, we can’t.
Despite the frustration we must push on. Despite the pain we must push on. Despite the anger we must push on. Despite the fear we must push on.
The Jewish people are described as Tzivot Hashem, the Army of G-d. It is not by accident that we are called an army. Armies are for the purpose of defense and for the purpose of projecting power. And so perhaps during these tumultuous times we must examine the role we are to play, analyzing our purpose in this war. And yes, this is a war. It is no less than darkness versus light and good versus evil.
In our long, bitter exile the Jewish people have often been subjected to the whims of our neighbors. Many times they have been indifferent or even kind, but often times not so much. Our people have been victimized and brutalized, tortured, raped, and murdered, why? Because we are Jews, a small and weak minority – easily identified and therefore easily targeted.
The rise of modern Western civilization, which seemed so hopeful at first, has shown that it too can produce monsters. Even in modern day Europe and on today’s university campuses here in the US we see the reemergence of open anti-Semitism (dressed up in the guise of anti Israelism). Make no mistake about it, when Israel is singled out and vilified it is due to anti-Semitism.
But these days we see the insidious fingers of terror spreading out to a greater variety of targets. The terrorists target Jews of course, but they also target gays, African Americans, and police officers. One sees Sunni Muslim Islamists targeting Shi’a Muslim Islamists, while some Buddhists target Muslims and Muslims targeting Buddhists. Does it ever end!? Will it ever end!?
Remember, we are an army! That primarily means in the spiritual sense, of course. Our good deeds, particularly in the realm of loving each other as we love ourselves, do have an affect! The One, True Power will watch over us and protect us, but we must be careful not to chase Him away. These days, and quite miraculously, we have one of the finest armies in the world in the form of the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces. For the first time in two thousand years the Jewish people have a powerful and effective standing army ready to defend us, physically, from the anti-Semites surrounding us. Just seventy years ago such thing was only a dream. Today it is reality.
Further, more and more of the world sees moral leadership coming from Israel. Sending humanitarian supplies around the world on a moment’s notice has not gone unnoticed by the people of the world. But Israel’s leadership continues to grow in the realm of anti-terror tactics. Israel is currently exporting its expertise in security and the world is taking notice. The people of Israel have tried to tell the world for years that Israel’s war against terror is the world’s war against terror. That if terror strikes Israel with immunity (and with silence from the civilized world) it will eventually branch out and strike in those countries as well. Every week we see these prophecies coming true, may G-d have mercy! They justifiably cry for the innocent victims in Orlando, Paris, Brussels, Nice, Istanbul, and numerous other places, but are strangely silent when Tel Aviv or Efrat or Kiryat Arba are struck. Why?! We already know.
As time goes on and the attacks increase in frequency and we are subjected to more and more speeches from leadership that does not seem to understand the source of the threat and certainly does not seem to understand that we are indeed at war and must vanquish this threat (with force), we will find ourselves increasingly responsible to protect ourselves. Times are different and we have the right to learn how to defend ourselves. At this time I believe it is correct to say that we are obligated to learn how to protect ourselves.
We are an army! Let us train.
So we will protect ourselves and project our power through Torah and Mitzvot. But we will also support Israel and its extraordinary IDF. And, those of us with the willpower, will allow ourselves to be trained and prepare ourselves for all possible threats. G-d willing, our outstanding police will continue to keep us safe, but it can never hurt to be security-conscious ourselves.
May G-d Almighty have mercy on this dark world and help the forces of goodness vanquish, once and for all, the evil in this world. May G-dliness be finally fully revealed through the immediate arrival of our righteous Moshiach!