Tears for terrorists?
One of my closest friends who is always perplexed by my various versions of religion says that I like the aspects of the Hebrew Bible’s God that he doesn’t. Point taken.
I am happy to see Israel fighting back and eliminating terrorists who have spent their lives trying to kill Jews and anyone else who is not their brand of extremist. We in the US are fortunate that Israel is fighting and winning. While many have forgotten or denied it, we have been the object of terrorist attacks too. The ocean will not protect us. In fact, if we were to find ourselves under real attack, I think we would be pathetic in our attempts to defend ourselves. The Americans who are well-off are used to a comfortable life and the poor are just barely making it. Neither have the skills, the will or the solidarity to defend this country.
Some of my American Jewish friends are able to express sadness when terrorists die. I don’t. This is war. War for all of us, even those who think they are not participating.
When I see Americans, especially those in positions of power, mourning the deaths of terrorists, I am confused. Of course it would be better for all to live in peace. But when people are trying to kill you, defending yourself is a good idea.
I haven’t been to the synagogue I was going to in awhile. I’ve thought about finding another. Where might one locate the actual Zionists in Philadelphia? I love the Jewish ritual and learning the Hebrew, but I don’t think I’m really Jewish. I think you know if you are born with a Jewish soul. I have been watching Rings of Power season 2, and I am struck by how powerfully I identify with the Celtic mythology. That’s who I am. One of the blue people of old Scotland and England. One of an Empire that largely gave us the idea of civilization. Do I support the return of the old British Empire? Not precisely, though they had some good ideas, such as afternoon tea. I do occasionally think that a return to the use of last names until one is on a first name basis would be a good idea. When I was a kid, my friends used to call my mother Mrs. Smith. As she was no longer married to Mr. Smith (who isn’t even my dad, he was my first step-father), she would tell them that they could call her either Reverend Dr. Smith or Marti. They were just confused. We were about eight.
Informal forms of addressing strangers aside…
I suspect that if New York, Los Angeles or Washington, DC were getting bombed on a daily basis and we had to rely on a giant Iron Dome to protect us, there would be a lot fewer tears for terrorists.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but every time our leaders appease powers that want to destroy our way of life (like women driving and stuff) we come closer to that. Thank you Israel for fighting back. To my friends in the IDF, and my friends with children in the IDF, thank you for your service.
My first Israeli friend has a daughter who just received a promotion in the IDF. I have often thought that when I go to Israel I would like to bring her a present. I wonder if she would like one of the beautiful handmade necklaces that you can buy at the farmers’ market here. A piece of the good part of America, where her father was born. Once I plan my trip I will ask him what she might like. There seems to be so little we can do, but I’d like to bring her something to show how grateful I am for what she’s done. I pray every day for her safety, and for the safety of all the brave soldiers who are defending us too.
Of course I wish civilians were safe, but when terrorists hide behind civilians, there aren’t a lot of choices. Israel has to chose to live or die on a daily basis. When I see the pictures comparing Jews being marched to the gas chambers with the IDF now, I am proud to be an ally of Israel.
To those who cry for terrorists, I wish you peace and soft Kleenex, and that your family never has to endure what Israelis and Jews throughout history have.
in any war, few of us have tears for the fallen enemy. It is how little pleasure, or even satisfaction, we get from their death.
I enjoyed this essay and appreciate your affinity for Judaism and praise to Israel for being badass in dealing with its enemies and those who wish harm. My first wife was a convert to Judiasm in the Reform branch since the Orthodox and Conservative Branches ridiculously thought her reasons for converting, being that I was Jewish, were insufficient. Such nonsense, especially since I tried to talk her out of converting because I thought she would miss Christmas and Easter too much and didn't want to see her sad. When I learned the Reform Passover seder ritual included dipping your pinkie into the wine when each plague was mentioned and letting it drip on the plate to show sorrow and sympathy for the innocent Egyptians who had to suffer from each plague, I couldn't do it. It made no sense. It was as if we were questioning G-d's judgment. It wasn't badass.