Newsworthy

Massoud, a blessed man from what I have read here, was killed because of the kindnesses and good deeds he performed on behalf of the Palestinians. Had he not exposed himself by doing the kind deeds he performed, his murderers would not have been interested in him and would not have had him conveniently in their midst. We must remember that Fatah is not all Palestinians, no more than the Mafia is all Italians. But they do have the guns, and the dominant society does in itself, for many reasons, represent oppression. We must also remember that Massoud understood and accepted the risk he took in doing good, and that the Palestinians he helped understood it, too. Those Palestinians will remember the goodness of this man, this Jew, Massoud, who risked and lost his life FOR THEM, and will tell their loved ones of him and those other good people like him who, more bravely than the gun-carriers of this world, work to build a kinder, more just existence for all of us. Let us all pray for the courage and faith, displayed by Massoud, to be loving always, regardless of the hatred shown by those who oppose our existence.

I think I like Luke's approach better than that of the Israeli hospital. But I am an American and such barbarism is only to be expected from the likes of us.

Although disparaging American compassion and benevolence has replaced soccer as the world's most popular sport, I would think that the Jewish world would be more charitable. During the war for the liberation of Afghanistan, millions of dollars was expended by the US government to air lift food to the Afghanis. This is perfectly in keeping with the policies of the nation that contributes more than 60% of all foreign aid that is given out world wide. And name one other country anywhere in the world that has devoted itself to the wellbeing of world Jewry and the nation of Israel. I am proud to say that my nation has served as the arm of HaShem, preserving Zion from destruction at the hand of her enemies.

I agree that Israel is a kind and benevolent nation and I'm sorry that you cannot recognize the same qualities in the United States.

THIS IS THE TIME THAT BLACK IS WHITE
AND WHITE IS BLACK

Sorry, I don't like Palestinian terror. However, as you say about soldier's boot on the rabbi's neck, please consider, that Palestinians always talk about "Jewish boot" on their neck. To them, they right to kill Jews is justified by their feeling of the boot on their neck (which they feel always even though there is no boot at all). With your article, the problem is that THEIR criteria what is right are different from OUR criteria, and that's why we are unable to understand each other. Their duty is to kill Jews, no matter how evil is killing itself for us.

How many more innocents will have to die before the leaders involved realize that when they're talking to Palestinians, they aren't talking to human beings, but animals. I know this sounds hateful and I guess it is, but when confronted with an enemy that shows no mercy, breaks every agreement, holds a gun to the heads of 5 year old girls and elderly men who are trying to help them,.... You can't negotiate with a rabid dog and the world should stop calling on Israel to negotialte with the so called Palestinians.

There is a saying, 'Fools rush in, where Angels fear to tread.." Iam not saying this kind old man was a fool, but he was in an off limit area... and there is another saying that we should all heed... 'KNOW YOUR ENEMY..."

You just don't get it. I'm glad you "don't like" Palestinian terror. The
point of the story is that the Rebbe
would rather not be a killer, even of a beast with his boot on his neck. There is no "duty" to murder innocent civilians or even soldiers. Did King or Gandhi have a duty to murder their opponents?

Thank you for this story. I am touched by the depth of love Mr. Allon had for his fellow human beings. I also praise the decision to provide muslim blood for the palestinian captive. In contrast to your final example I truly believe if an Al Quada at camp-x in Guantanamo would make the same request he too would be provided his wish. Those righteous ones who manifest the teachings of the Torah can be found everywhere and in events we never hear about.

The questions unasked by the Rabbi- why are Jews so charitable to non-Jews ? Are there not Jews who are cold and need warm clothing ?
Yes we are a charitable people but we are first and foremost responsible for our own!
And while the stories of those who were
tortured during the Shoah carry a moral message that will endure through time and we are obligated to know them so do the stories of Jewish resistance by force of arms need to be taught and emulated.
We must raise a generation of lions not pacifists.

The author is right. Israel, if it ever wants to bring back any semblance of normalcy, to i'ts citizens, will sooner or later realize that appeasing your sworn enemies never works. Israel needs to stop playing footsy with these criminal barbarians and treat them as they deserve to be treated. In almost two and a half years, with no end in sight, Israel is still not using ten percent of it's might to destroy these pathetic creatures once and for all. No country can survive an ongoing war like the current Intifada initiated by the Palestinians. Israel is currently fighting for it's very survival and existence, and will lose this war if it doesn't wake up and treat this as a war, once and for all. You can only lose a war, and lose badly, when fighting with one hand tied behind your back, like the US did in Vietnam. Wake up and smell the coffee, or continue on the current path of ultimate demise, G-D forbid.

If a Jew is "nice to an Arab" the Arab takes that as a sign of weakness. Don't waste your time and energy being nice to your potential murderer.

In reply to the comment stating that Mr. Allon was "where he wasn't supposed to be"--- I beg to differ. He was right where G-d wanted him to be. While I agree that we should fight back and do our utmost to protect ourselves (and if you were to see my other comments on other pages here at Aish, you would know my feelings there) we still need to live according to what G-d teaches us in Torah...and helping ALL people, including the down-trodden of our enemies, is commanded of us by G-d. Doesn't it say in Proverbs somewhere, something like; "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he's thirsty give him water to drink: For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and G-d shall reward you." (paraphrased).
Clearly, while we are busy fighting for our existence, we should also never lose our humanity. It may not seem right from our human perspective to clothe and feed our enemies or go out of our way to get "untainted" blood for a transfusion for our enemy, but it IS what G-d has told us is the way. And therefore I will do it....and heap coals of fire on my enemies head by Loving him and showing him the way. His path he chooses is up to him and when he is before our creator he will have to explain why he felt the need to kill someone who was bringing him blankets or food or whatever. All his "reasons" will be as vain vapors before the Lord ~ and his reasons will be exposed for the blind hatred and envy that it is, unsupported by any basis in true fact.
While from our human perspective many of us cannot fathom the glory inherent in feeding our enemy, G-d sees....Again, G-D SEES!!
Oh! if I could only have half the strength of character, courage and Love that Mr. Allon had!! ~ Because I all too often find myself struggling with rage and anger towards those terrorists, wanting to destroy them from the face of this planet!! But giving IN to that rage and anger...would mean becoming like them. And I would MUCH rather become like Mr. Allon. MOST CERTAINLY he WILL be rewarded from G-d...though that might seem like small comfort to us, here on this crazy planet.
So, while we should continue to defend ourselves and FIGHT BACK, we should also live the example shown by Mr. Allon and feed, clothe and help our enemies. ~ It is what G-d asks of us and therefore I will try to do it...(and heap coals of fire on their heads@!)
Even so, Lord, help me to have the strength, courage and Love to do that which you would have me do....because what my emotional and logical self wants to do...is kill all those animalistic, barbaric people, in vengeance and anger....and then I would be no better then them.

May there be TRUE PEACE in Israel....soon.

I find this to be a sad commentary on the current conditions in our world, but at the same time, a beacon of light, that shines so much more profoundly, in a dark and uncertain time. The darker the night of human depravity, the brighter the light, shown forth by those who selflessly do good toward their fellow man, expecting naught, but receiving in their own hearts, the satisfaction of knowing that love destroys hate, that good conquers evil,that right is might, and someday when the light has disspelled all shadows of evil we will again see the world as G-d created it, GOOD, Very GOOD !! Until that day comes, may we esteem those most highly, who seek to do good, because by so living they bring light into an all to often dark world.

The comment posted by "Dovid", that "you don't get it" is garbage. Yes,

Rabbi, the questions you posed in this article were pertinent. One doesn't listen to a fool's advice, does one? I don't. Keep up the excellent analysis and writing.

Do You Remember?


Perhaps, with this compelling piece, average Americans like me, can hear the wake-up call, and be inspired to take a pro-active stance on Israel. We can all do more - whether it is through dipping into our pockets, or making a phone call. Every little bit counts. Thank you for helping me realize that I can make a difference. I'm starting today by making a cheque for $100 for Magen David Olam. I challenge all Americans to do the same, or more...

But why, oh why, are we Jews such fools and bleeding hearts?



The Palestinian Authority murderer who demanded a transfusion of blood from fellow Muslims should have been denied the demand. This "moral high ground" that we have taken over the many centuries has led us to nothing but expulsions, pogroms, exterminations, and homicide bombings!



And still the big fool whom I used to admire and respect greatly talks of Israel making the "painful concessions" that his predecessor was willing to make.



Why won't it be the other way around!

The world will change when people wake up to reality. That is what Rabbi Milstein and aish.com are doing for the all of us as shown by Daniel Wein's response.

Indeed Daniel, support MDA with $100, but I recommend sending $500 to aish.com if you really want to bring peace to the world.

we are taught, "he who is compassionate when he is supposed to be cruel, will be cruel when he is supposed to be compassionate."

We see this played out daily in Israel, where our enemies are treated with kid gloves, and our brothers and sisters are murdered with impunity.

It's sad to read these stories but everybody has to know how evil the palestinians are. Yes we are kind but it must stop here. If a murderer refuses the blood of a jew because its tainted, then tough. He shoould be left for dead.

As the son of Holocaust survivors,and Orthodox;Rabbi Milstein, let's stop roamntacizing our morality during the Holocaust.Let's avoid the next one, by foresaking this idiotic suicidal policy of restraint.I don't want to be MR.Allon or his killer. Neither victim , nor opressor.Your omission of Talmudic dictum of:If your kind to the cruel,the innocent will suffer, is apalling!!!Aren't 5,500 wounded {"korbanot"-sacrificial victims} enough? War is not pretty and I agree with the U.S. soldier's stance. We Jews are indeed "Digging our own Graves"!!!