Keeping Israel Safe

 

What would you do if your neighbor had a canon pointed at your home? I think you would agree that just deciding to keep your windows closed might not be enough!  That canon would be a big exclamation point reminding you that it was time for action. We all know that Israel lives with multiple canons pointed at her everyday and yet the world says “Just close your windows and you will be safe.”  Windows offer no safety when your entire home has a big target painted on it. The only real safety is in removing the canon.

That is exactly what Israel did last week when it attacked an arms convoy inside Syria. The arms were to be delivered to Hezbollah terrorists to be used against Israeli planes. Yes, Syria and Iran have vowed to retaliate- is that anything new? Israel acted to protect itself and I praise the Israeli government for protecting its citizens. Am I a war monger? Don’t I understand that an attack inside Syria is dangerous? Yes, I do understand- but not to act is more dangerous.

Often times Israel is criticized for protecting herself or for acting is a pre-emptive strike. Whenever I hear such arguments I am reminded of a principle that our Sages discussed- the law of the rodef. Rodef is a Hebrew word meaning “to pursue.” The principle is simple and clear- if someone is pursuing you with the clear and explicit intent of hurting or killing you it is time to act. In our faith it is a moral imperative, a mitzvah, to protect yourself. You have often read my words about the preciousness of life. Judaism teaches that your own life is precious too. If someone plans to end your life you have an obligation to defend it. That may sound strange to many modern ears but speaks volumes about the wisdom of our tradition.

It is unfortunate that Jewish history is filled with examples in which people waited too long to act, waited too long for that canon to go away by itself, or for someone else to take it away. I think Americans are just beginning to understand the Israeli mentality. Recent violent events in our country have forced us into a new kind of awareness. Can you imagine living under the threat of not just “random” violence but the daily threat of terror and war?

Israel will be threatened and criticized for its action inside Syria- but it is vital that you remember that that this was not an act of war but an act of self-defense. To do anything less would be to betray the safety and future of Israel’s citizens.