As the wave of terror continues throughout Israel, with multiple attacks every day by Arabs using knives, guns, and cars to kill Jews, the Jewish population is protesting, demanding that our government do more to protect its citizens. After a 13-year-old boy on his bicycle and another man was stabbed in Pisgat Ze’ev on October 12, citizens staged a protest.
One protester, Tovi Harari declared: "As you can see, we are in a state of fear, fear to send our children to school. I haven't sent my daughter to school for three days already.
"The situation can't continue like this. There has to be some sort of solution. The prime minister must wake up, and understand we can't continue like this. They stab in the streets, and we have no security. You can't walk around the streets. I don't remember there ever being something like this."
There has never been a situation like this.
When Ms. Harari was asked what solution she proposed, she faltered. “If only I had a solution! The prime minister needs to think about it. To implement a curfew, I don't know...that's what he's prime minister for. …It's simply frightening to leave your home. ...Right now there's the protest, so we all came together, but in general the streets are silent. No one is there."
I have lived in Israel for 30 years, through six wars, and I agree with Tovi Harari: There has never been a situation like this. Previously when under attack, Israel always had a military solution. During the Terror War of 2000-2004 (called “the Second Intifada”), when suicide bombers were murdering Jews in buses, cafes, malls, and Bar Mitzvahs, the I.D.F. went into the terrorist strongholds in towns under the Palestinian Authority and uprooted the terror cells that sent the bombers. When Hamas in Gaza launched thousands of rockets at Israel, the I.D.F., through aerial attacks and ground forces, pounded the enemy into submission.
Now, however, almost all of the terror attacks are perpetrated not by organized cells, but by individuals, who need nothing more than a kitchen knife to kill a Jew. The terrorists are women as well as men, Arab Israeli citizens as well as residents of the P.A., middle-class university students as well as the disenfranchised rabble, and youths as young as 13 years old. How do you defeat an enemy who is interwoven in the fabric of your society? Can the warp extirpate the woof?
The terrorist who today (Oct. 13) plowed his car into a Jerusalem bus stop and then jumped out and used a meat cleaver to kill the saintly Rabbi Yeshayahu Krishevsky and to maim several others, was an Israeli Arab employee of Bezeq, Israel’s national telephone company. He carried out the attack using a Bezeq car.
Afterwards, Bezeq released a statement expressing its “deep outrage,” declaring that it is praying for the wounded victims. Bezeq then added:
"We emphasize that there were no warning signs, and there were no clear changes in the worker's conduct that could have prevented the act of terror.”
No warning signs. No way to prevent the act of terror. So what can we do?
Prime Minister Netanyahu has, yet again, called an emergency meeting of his security cabinet. The morning after the double murder in the Old City, the cabinet passed a slew of emergency measures. Yet, the terrorism has not abated. Demanding that the Prime Minister stop the terrorism is as futile as demanding that he stop European anti-Semitism.
There does not seem to be a military or political solution.
While the security forces must do everything possible to stem the terrorism, our grim reality is that this time, there does not seem to be a military or political solution.
Despair and Irrationality
Despair drives even the most intelligent and well-meaning people to irrational – and dangerous – conclusions. The Oslo Accords, which led to nothing but the deaths of a thousand Israeli men, women, and children, is a prime example.
Leil Leibowitz, writing in Tablet in the wake of the terrorist murder of Eitam and Naama Henkin, eloquently opined:
[Israel] accepted security risks that no Western country would ever countenance, and allowed large, foreign-armed terrorist armies to mass on territory that it handed over in exchange for nothing, in a particularly dangerous part of the world. …
If peace talks are no longer on the table, the government of Israel should mount a decisive campaign against those who shoot mothers and fathers in front of their children’s eyes – one aimed at destroying the infrastructure that nurtures this kind of terrorism.
Just days later, however, after repeated stabbing attacks throughout Israel, Mr. Leibowitz offered a different solution,
…the unilateral disengagement plan that Ariel Sharon was working to accomplish before he suffered a massive brain aneurysm. Look at a map of Judea and Samaria, as Sharon did several times a day, and you’ll notice that the lion’s share of Jewish communities are neatly aligned in a way that allows them all to remain a part of Israel should Israel decide to unilaterally annex a thin strip of the West Bank. Annex it, and annex the Jordan Valley, too, a very thinly unpopulated area that is essential to maintaining Israel’s security…. Israel could then erect a large wall – a practice that has proven successful over the past decade in stopping some of the most murderous Palestinian terrorists from reaching their targets inside Israel – escort all Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israel to the other side of that barrier, and wait.
What is the brilliant and articulate Mr. Leibowitz suggesting? Isn’t “unilateral disengagement,” such as Ariel Sharon foisted on the flourishing Jewish communities of the Gaza Strip, what led to thousands of rockets fired at Israeli towns and cities and two costly military campaigns to stop the carnage? Sharon assured us that if, after every Israeli settler and soldier withdraws from Gaza, the government of Gaza dares to shoot a missile over the internationally recognized border, Israel would take strong steps and the world would support us. We lived – and died – through the opposite scenario. Hamas shot thousands of rockets before we mustered the political will to counter-attack, and the world was outraged by our self-defense.
And now the usually clear-thinking Mr. Leibowitz recommends a similar solution, only this time, instead of shooting rockets at Sderot and the sparsely-populated South, terrorists in the surrendered areas will shoot rockets at our only international airport and at the population centers of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where the majority of Israelis live. And what about the mixed Jewish-Arab towns of Ramle and Lod? What about the Arab citizens of Israel who live in Haifa and Nazareth, who are holding pro-terrorism rallies? Would you also “escort” them to the “other side of the barrier”?
When there is no rational solution, even intelligent people resort to irrationality. I would like to propose a supra-rational solution.
Echoes of 1967
Only once before did Israel experience such utter desperation. It was in 1967, when Gamel Abdal Nasser promised to conquer Israel and “drive the Jews into the sea.” With four Arab armies amassed at our borders, outnumbered in planes, tanks, and troops, Israel waited grimly to be overrun. Prime Minister Levi Eshkol broke down in tears during a radio address to the nation. The Rabbinate consecrated every park in Israel as a cemetery. The prevailing dark humor was: “Last one out, turn off the lights.”
Then, miraculously, in six days, Israel trounced its enemies, captured all the major Jewish holy places, and tripled its territory.
Military historians credit the victory to Israel’s flying below the radar and destroying Egypt’s entire air force during the first hour of the war on June 5. But Ehud Ya’ari, Israel’s pre-eminent military journalist, wrote in a 1992 Jerusalem Report article about the many “coincidences” and unlikely mishaps that accounted for the success of Israel’s surprise attack. To give just a sample:
The representative of [Egyptian] army intelligence in El Arish warned on June 5 at 4 a.m. that the attack would begin “within minutes.” His message reached [Commander-in-Chief] Amer’s command bunker in Cairo in time; an aide-de-camp signed a copy, but no one bothered to look for Amer.
On the morning of the attack, Egyptian officers stationed at the radar station at Ajlun in Northern Jordan, picked up the scrambling Israeli aircraft, and sent a red alert message to Cairo. The sergeant in the decoding room of the supreme command tried to decipher the message using the previous day’s code and failed. He put the cable down and forgot about it. The message was also received in the operations room of the general staff, but no duty officer was there to handle it.
Immediately after the Six-Day War, Moshe Dayan, the military hero with the eye-patch who was Israel’s Minister of Defense, visited the newly liberated Western Wall. As is the age-old custom, he put a note between its ancient stones. As soon as Dayan left, reporters irreverently extracted the note and read it. The secular military hero had written a quote from Psalms: “From God this has come about. It is wondrous in our eyes.”
Desperation turned to victory through Divine intervention. We have no other solution.
The Two Steps
The universally successful Twelve-Step Program is a proven example of transforming desperation into victory by turning to God for help. The first two steps are:
We admitted that we were powerless over _________________, that our lives had become unmanageable.
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Of course, this is the same formula that liberated our ancestors from slavery to the world’s most powerful and technologically advanced empire – Egypt. The downtrodden Israelites had hoped for a political solution, that when the current tyrannical Pharaoh died, he would be replaced by a more humane ruler. When the new Pharaoh proved even worse than his predecessor, the Israelite slaves, in desperation, called out to God. The Divine response was the miracles of the Exodus.
Perhaps this is the reason that the Torah commands us to tell the story of the liberation from Egypt to our children throughout the generations. This is the Jewish paradigm: When despair impels us to turn to God, miraculous redemption ensues.
As I sit here in my home in Jerusalem’s Old City, hearing sirens of police and ambulances rushing to yet another scene of terrorism, of Jewish blood spilled by those who believe that killing a Jew is their ticket to Paradise, I could easily fall into despair. Instead, I will <cry out to God to redeem us. I know that God can send a solution in ways that we humans can’t even dream of.
As David Ben Gurion, Israel’s crusty first Prime Minister, declared: In Israel, if you don’t believe in miracles, you’re not a realist.
(33) Adrian E., July 21, 2016 1:48 AM
are you try to use his force against them like aikido
it sorprise me to hear the chosen people cry in despair , when it has all the answers , first dont combat fira with fire combat it with education , education i repeat it tree times education. but of what kind or cuality :, open them all your secrets all the SOD level secrets of the TORAH and explain them IN ARABIC what in reality said the CORAN from that perpective ... im surpised that the average jew dont know nothing about this exept what he learns every saturday , but the sod kevel its the fabric of miracles , dont wait for the Meshia , be yourselves the meshias that the world need ... on another hand what you expect of figth people against a wall , with no options , than just die ... mmm sadly above somebody answers asimple answer every jew in israel should be a living weapon , even the grandmas and the children remeber the lesson from Okinawa and the Vietnam peole they defeated iMPERIUMS greater than the ones you are figthing back ... so just do it .
(32) Anonymous, November 13, 2015 1:38 PM
cop out
great article although a bit too long. yes, prayer is very, very, very important, but we live in a world with which we must interact; even mordechai in persia did more than just fast and pray; he had a plan to go along with prayer and fasting. what is your solution? yes the arabs are bad, we're good, i get that. yes, the media is biased, i get that....but what's a solution?! the articles in this website are stuck in a rut. what's even a suggestion of a solution? bombs and complaining are not a solution.
(31) Anonymous, October 21, 2015 6:33 PM
Tears
Again, you have brought tears to my eyes........Thank you.
(30) Jeff W, October 19, 2015 10:37 PM
The terror is the consequence of the miracle
Rigler ends by quoting Ben Gurion -- but Ben Gurion himself pointed out in 1967 that he'd gone to a lot of work to create a state with a Jewish majority. That work had just been undone by the "miracle" Rigler cites. It's taken half a century, but Israel's non-voting majority is finally, inevitably, rising.
(29) Kathleen, October 19, 2015 5:25 PM
Stand Strong - God is with Israel!.
Pray - yes for God's guidance. Please - do stand strong and to those who should be fighting against the Arabs through words (news accounts - misrepresentation) and those who choose to bury their heads in the sand. One day it to will be on their doorstep. Bottom line you know no matter what they say nothing will bring this to an end - they lie as they have in the past. they will NOT rest until they have all your land and all Jews are gone. Knowing this to be truth act accordingly - You have God on your side - so go forward to keep and continue life on your land! Fear NOT for God loves Israel and her people. BUT please act to protect what those before fought when necessary to keep with God @ their side. going on before - onward Jewish Soldiers - to protect what is rightfully yours. As for the accounts of what is happening being far from the truth - you know the truth - and one day other's hopefully will to. When the HOLOCOST took place my son and I watched the movie from the book by Ann Frank and my son with much pain in his voice said "WHY didn't they fight back WHY?? All through history the fact of why we're where we are today has often come about because of right vs wrong and often these wars have been necessary. Unpopular yes, - no peaceful group wants it to go the way of war. BUT. If right is going to be wiped out because one doesn't stand up for what God has provided for and to us. being bullied is wrong and the Jews have had more than their share of bullying but turning the other cheek is going to in this case end up with Israel and her people destroyed. Please stand strong and protect what is yours and if others disagree where the hell were they when the decision of what to do was being discussed. I HATE War but even more I hate watching good being destroyed by those in positions of giving what ever is needed to end conflict, looking the other way. They will stand in judgement hope they enjoy now all the big $$$ their making not publishing the truth.
(28) Anonymous, October 19, 2015 5:47 AM
Remember Mordechai's solution on Purim
When I was reading this article, I could not stop my tears and could not stop thinking about us Jewish people and Mordechai.
We all are very special, we all suppose to be united as one and we have accepted the responsibility to bring the light of Hashem to the Other Nations. Are we doing it?
The answer is no. We are divided into numerous branches of Judaism: from Reform to Chabad and everything in between. I think majority of us Jews became atheists and prefer not to get involved. However all of the divisions should not matter.
We simply need to remember what our ancestors did.
When the Greeks were trying to attack our minds and hearts, trying to convert us to the Greek Philosophy, we took physical action. A small band of Yeshivah boys went to fight the Greek Army. We celebrate their victory on Chanukah.
But on Purim, Haman has put into motion physical threat of total annihilation of Jewish people. Isn't that what we are facing with from Palestinians and the rest of the world? I think it's time for our Religious Leaders to wake up from the sleep and petty little arguments and act as Mordechai did. Call all Jews around the world to pray together. This is the time when we must get united, regardless of what what Synagogue we are belong or do not belong at all and pray to Him for Salvation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(27) Anonymous, October 19, 2015 1:26 AM
It's time for a National Teshuva
In ancient Persia all Jews mourned, fasted and prayed before G-d, and He saved us from the hands of Haman. It is a positive Torah commandment "to cry out and to sound trumpets in the event of any difficulty that arises which affects the community". We don't have the trumpets, but we can and should cry out to G-d. Let's petition Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chief Rabbinate to issue an urgent call for a National Day of Fast, Prayer and Repentance, asking all Jewish people around the world to join in. THE NATIONAL TESHUVA TIME HAS COME!
Rachel in NJ, October 20, 2015 3:13 AM
Great idea!
If only PM Netanyahu or chief rabbinate would do so.
(26) ben smoke, October 18, 2015 10:59 PM
seek dialogue
Defense is a must, but creative dialogue of many different venues is necessary. It is the vigilant sharing of both pain and hope that will bring the most humane and deeply felt positive outcome. Defense and dialogue may not precede the other. This is conflict. This is the way to resolution. Protect Israel and also seek harmony. The challenge is both defense and dialogue.
(25) Rachel in NJ, October 18, 2015 7:49 PM
Right, SYR! ...and a related idea
Learning "patrols."
Remember approximately two years ago when the yeshiva world was convinced that they were defending Am Yisrael by just learning and that physical defense was for others? Well, the events of last summer, the Har Nof tragedy and the current situation show that the current formula is not sufficient in Hashem's eyes. And we have to believe that by now the learning community has stepped up it's learning and tefilah just about as much as possible.
Why not have groups of 5-10 able-bodied learners on every street as a citizen patrol, watching for suspicious behavior when people are around and learning when it's quiet?
It would have such positive effects -- not just in terms of deterrence -- but also in terms of achdut and kiruv. What better way is there to show the not-yet-religious that the claims were not spoken from self-interest alone, to let them see a bit of what learning looks like, maybe peak their interest and draw them in, and, if it succeeds, give them an incentive to turn to Hashem.
Obviously, the patrols would, at least initially, just be supporting -- and overseen by -- professional forces, like any neighborhood watch. Meanwhile, they should be receiving basic civilian defense training and weapons. If the conflict continued, some of them should serve as a Torah-true civilian-defense-only militia in cooperation with the police and military. Most could acquire the necessary skills in days or weeks...ask anyone who has done the training, or just look at the effectiveness of the amateurs and children who are terrorizing in the first place.
Scary? Yes. But so is going to shul, beit midrash, school, work or for a walk/run/ride at this point.
(24) Issy Rondel, October 18, 2015 2:31 PM
answer
ARM ALL ISRAELIS FOR SELF PROTECTION . CLOSE ALL AREAS TO MUSLIMS INTO THE JEWISH QUARTER OF JERUSALEM, OR SENT IN FULLY ARMED FORCES TO ROOT OUT THE MILITANTS AND PREACHES OF TERROR.
(23) Anonymous, October 18, 2015 4:58 AM
Two-state peace
(Continued) .....Find a reasonable redivision with dignity & respect in both side . Recognize and honor two legitimate States and have peace and security in both countries
(22) Stu Webb, October 18, 2015 4:52 AM
Two-state peace with Palestine!
The same type of terror against the British resulted in creation of Isreal. Find a
(21) Anonymous, October 16, 2015 11:45 PM
A Kind Solution to Unstoppable Terror
During WW II - the U.S., decided, in order to protect its citizens - carefully moved those who Only Might be a threat - into separate living camps. The U.S. government feared the possibility of its citizens could be killed by some of its Japanese citizens (which Never happened). Much criticism of the U.S. resulted - and the danger passed, and people began again to live together.
The U.S. government acted to protect - not to harm.
The current, ongoing Murderous attacks on any Israeli - child or adult - from inside it's own country - cries out for a solution. Israelis write of having faith - living with the fear - trembling over their children going out of the house.
Separate the two groups - with respect, with care, with kindness - but separate the two groups. Those among them - the ones with the shielded knives ready to kill a Jew - will go with the whole group - to a safe place - to their home.
Those who read this - who see the sense, the rightness of separation - respond. Leaders listen to the voices their people, and will hear this - if enough respond.
Anon
(20) barajas, October 16, 2015 3:24 PM
Prayer don' wok, we must correct ourselves to be in balance witth G-d. UNITY is the solution to our crisis. Almost all of the Israelis don't even practice Judaism as it should, the reason why there is a crisis is because Israelis trust in the government and on the IDF, but where is our G-d? People have forgotten to serve the Holy Divine presence. This is so obvious! And I know you arent going to put this so people can read it.
(19) Anonymous, October 16, 2015 1:15 PM
Give a Helping Hand to Those in need - you may be next.
God helps those that help themselves - he would want anyone being bullied, threatened, harmed in anyway to stand up for themselves. Knowing HE is standing with you. One needs to try to be strong and knowing God loves you, should give one great comfort. BUT - you need to ask for his guidance do due diligence on keeping your loved ones safe and yourself. I hope and pray the United States will stand with Israel in it's time of great need. All life's matter - unfortunately some choose to go down dark paths in life and choose NOT to treat others as they would want to be treated. Just as bullying can NOT and should NOT be tolerated - we need to stand United - it is wrong that the UN is looking the other way and shame on those reporting untrue versions of the GOSPEL truth of what is happening in Israel. God will remember those who came to Israels defense, and God will be as JUST as is deserving - with his own - he forgets NOT!! That in my times of desperation I know I can turn to God and he is ALWAYS with me. One needs to attempt to do the right thing even when it is difficult, but knowing that your NOT alone is an awesome feeling. We need to lend a helping hand to those in need and right NOW Israel needs US! And any other country willing to reach out to a brother in need. Those who claim to want a good and blessed life how can you look the other way when Israel has asked the UN for it's help. I saw when the Prime Minister was speaking those in the audience with grins inappropriate grins on their faces - as I said before my God is a loving, caring and thankful and Just God. Who has an unbelievable memory. How will you be remembered? Again Please wake up America and those other countries that things are just fine right NOW. Believe me we all face times of need, whose hand will reach out to meet your countries needs - there but for the Grace of GOD go I - how about you and yours. Wishing you the best and hope your in good standing now and in the future too.
(18) Jon, October 16, 2015 12:55 PM
Solution
If Israel isn't willing to kick out all of the Palestinians at a minimum the families of these terrorists need to be expelled. Let's see how supportive they are of their children when they realize their actions will have consequences for the entire immediate family. Transfer them to the East Bank or Sinai. The world will continue to protest whenever Jews defend themselves, they would rather we just roll over and die. We need to look out for ourselves, regardless of world opinion. Otherwise we'll "PC" ourselves directly into the grave.
(17) Anonymous, October 16, 2015 12:28 PM
A Request to the Prime Minister
Someone that has connections should try to convince the Prime Minister to make a speech to the nation in which he admits there is now no where else to turn to but Hashem along with directives that he recieves from our Gedolim. The nation is ready to cry out, but the Prime Minister must think of bigger things than his political career in order to do teshuva. Even the illusion that America is there to protect us has vanished. We are really helpless without Hashem's help and have always been.
(16) Anonymous, October 16, 2015 10:41 AM
Teshuva, Tzedeka, Tefilla
Thank you, Sarah. There is no limit to what we can try to do in the realm of prayer and also Teshuva and Tzedeka. May Hashem being the Geula soon. Keeping you and all Israel in m prayers.
(15) esther, October 16, 2015 5:12 AM
you are in our thoughts and prayers
Living in america, we are praying and thinking of you. thank you for sharing your thoughts, may mashiach come speedily!
(14) richard rosenzweig, October 16, 2015 1:03 AM
concurrence
your suggestion is great, it is also i believe written somewhere in navi that when the jews realize all the nations are against them and that they have noone to resort to they will cry out to Hashem and he will bring moshiach. Until that time though everyone in israel must also defend themselves and perhaps it is also time to remove the enemy from our midst.
(13) Miriam, October 16, 2015 12:32 AM
No question Sara Yoheved is absolutely right.
The only solution and thing that saves us is prayer. It could change everything in an instant.
Since Yaakov Avinu also gave presents and prepared for war besides prayer, perhaps we can as well do the others.
Gifts we do nonstop, perhaps to a strange degree: heard about the terrorist who was taken to Shaarei Tzedek hospital?
For war: Why not have a soldier or cop on every single block and bus in Israel? There are thousands upon thousands of soldiers. Why not? What is a government for except to protect its people?
And (but this is really never going to happen!) declare a state of emergency for the next month under which any Arab carrying a knife is instantly shot. Or at least put away in jail for life.
Problem: Netanyahu's worried about Obama's opinion. Unfortunately, this is more important to him than protecting his people. Tragic. Of course, being Prime Minister of Israel has got to be the hardest job on earth but still: be a leader, Mr. Netanyahu. You're an incredible speaker, that we know. Now be a leader.
Basic human obligation of a government to protect its people.
(12) Suzanne Forrest Anderson, October 15, 2015 11:11 PM
Two Choices
You have only two effective ways you can respond...be like your enemy, and kill or exile every Islamic believer in the country - citizen, or not - or you can as a country turn to haShem in fasting and prayer until He acts. Choose.
(11) Dina, October 15, 2015 10:13 PM
I agree that we need to pray, but G-d needs us to do our jobs & protect Jews!
G-d may have a plan, but it is up to all Jews to do their part. We need to be united. When we said "NEVER AGAIN" after the Holocaust, I assume we meant it.
We are dealing with "animals" who have NO regard for human life. And, just as you said Gamal Nasser promised to "throw us Jews into the Sea", this new generation of Arabs who have been brain washed on YouTube and social media & unfortunately have the support of the so-called news agencies, have been causing terror with impunity. It is time that they and their families are blocked from receiving ANY funding. FOLLOW THE MONEY, & stop it! And, all family members need to be held accountable. I like the idea of buldozing & destroying their homes. They need to feel the pain. They don't feel our pain. They laugh & give candy to children.
I read that the mayor of Nazareth was against the rallies in his city. Yet, I also read that an Arab MK was promoting these rallies. He should be stripped of his standing in the Knesset & Israeli citizenship as well as his family.
Praying to Hashem & doing mitzvot are things that those of us not in a position to actually help can do. It also helps psychologically. But, it is not enough.
The Israeli govt. needs to take a strong stand & stop political correctness. In the US, Blacks are saying that their lives matter. It is time ALL JEWS EVERYWHERE stand up and say that "JEWISH LIVES MATTER".
And, Jews all over Israel including Judea & Samaria need to be trained & allowed to carry guns to protect themselves & families. If the Arabs have no consequences, they will continue. There must be consequences. Personally, I like it when they are shot dead. They don't expect it. Jews are strong & fighters. Remember Joshua & King David! If the Arabs want to be martyrs. Let's help them. Better them dead than us!
Ezra, October 17, 2015 8:34 AM
Totally agreed!
(10) Anonymous, October 15, 2015 4:28 PM
Getting rid of Arabs and crying out to G-d both necessary
I completely agree with the importance of recognizing g-d's hand and power in the events that are happening in Israel, as well as the necessity to cry out to G-d, but it is also necessary to act against the Arabs. the only action that can work is to rid the country of most of the Arabs , since most of them are either terrorists or support terrorism. Rabbi Meir Kahane wrote a prophetic book "they Must Go" which predicts today's events unless Israel gets rid of the Arabs. the Torah also warned that keeping an enemy population in Israel's midst would be a "thorn in your eyes> Israel needs to listen to the Torah. .
(9) Doda Ilana, October 15, 2015 4:07 PM
Think outside of the box for a solution.
I keep wondering where are the great minds of the Jewish world when something like this happens? No political solution? We only have one recourse and that's to pray to HaShem for a solution? Is there no one who can create a think tank to come up with a plausible solution?
There are some laws where when a child commits a crime, the parents are held responsible and prosecuted as well as the child.
The Arabs who live in Israel do so for personal agendas. Some would never leave because no other Middle Eastern Country would accept them. Better to live in Israel then in Gaza. Two very different environments.
I remember a time when the army would bomb the house where the family of a terrorist lived, even though there might be women and children living in the house, they would have to evacuate their home. This showed terrorists that there was a consequence for his/her terrorism that not only affected him/her, but also family members. Why is this mindset acceptable in these cases and not across the board? It was years ago, but constantly in the news.
I agree with free speech until a group of Arab citizens of Israel who live in Haifa and Nazareth hold pro-terrorism rallies. Why is this rally even being tolerated? This is not free speech, this is speech with the intent to incite harm to non-combatants. That's not covered under free speech. That's covered under a nice cozy cell with a charge for "participation and collusion in a group with the intent.... That should be good for 6-12 months. If Israel doesn't stiffen the punishment/consequences for acts of intent, participation, or collusion of terrorism within Israels' borders, then don't be surprised if you hear more instances where Arabs living/working in Israel start killing Jews who work in the same location, like food services, businesses like Bezeq, department stores, malls, construction sites It is time for Israel to realize the enemy is like a sleeper cell, located within her borders
Anonymous, October 15, 2015 9:31 PM
Agreed
Give quick consequences to those committing murder.
(8) Anonymous, October 15, 2015 4:04 PM
A Simple Solution Which Works
Well, I'm sorry to remind your readers that He was oddly silent during last year's Gaza war when it took the vaunted IDF a full fifty days to fight Hamas to a draw. I suggest a more prosaic solution than waiting like sheep for HaShem to rescue us, which the police have been using, though not consistently, with remarkable success: simply kill the murderers or attempted murderers on the spot. The stabbings are bound to stop when the Palestinians run out of terrorists or knives, whichever comes first.
Canuck, October 15, 2015 8:15 PM
Sounds good to me--but don't expect saintly Israel to implement it.
That's because all the Jewish left-liberal bleeding hearts (in both Israel & overseas) will instantly cry "What about the Jewish reputation for restraint & non-violence?" Somehow that reputation never stopped pogroms or gas chambers.
cee, October 15, 2015 8:49 PM
yes but
I agree that we must defend ourselves as you say. Kill them on the spot. However, I think that SY Rigler is making the point that ultimately our success lies in His hands. The Torah commands us to defend ourselves and we should by shooting to kill, and destroying the enemy- not arresting him or her. We should do our part. Hashem will do his.
Anonymous, October 17, 2015 1:57 PM
I will be surprised if they publish this true reply on a religious website . . .
Meaning no disrespect, but if HaShem were really doing His part, wouldn't He strike down the terrorists *before* they have the opportunity to murder or maim innocent Jews, and not afterwards?
Larry, October 18, 2015 3:15 AM
Safety demands vigilance
I agree with stopping the murders with all force necessary. But you would question hashem? Try following his lead. "What is reason for the law of breaking in? Because it is certain that no man is inactive where his property is concerned; therefore this one [the thief]must have reasoned, “If I go there, he [the owner]will oppose me and prevent me; but if he does, I will kill him.” Hence the Torah decreed “If he come to slay thee, forestall by slaying him.”[51]
(7) Miriam, October 15, 2015 3:54 PM
Thank you Sarah, may Hashem bless all Jewish people and particularly the Jewish people in Israël. May the Prime Minister find the strength to speak up the right words to stop this violence and may the nations of the world understand from who the violence comes from and act accordingly.
Shabbat shalom
(6) Anonymous, October 15, 2015 3:22 PM
Let's all let peace begin within us, filling our hearts and pray for peace throughout our world.
(5) Larry, October 15, 2015 3:18 PM
The twelve step program in a knife fight loses every time
The problem is so big it's terrifying. The solution is almost as terrifying. One of the best place to start is with known terrorist supporters and yes they need to be escorted out imimediately with no possibility of return. Their families need to be looked at closely. Israel needs to put into place what America has done with phones and listen in to conversations. The willing need to carry guns and be ready to use them in a second. You mention the miracles that happened, what your forgetting is the military was there ready, they showed up to do what they could. Does G-d help when we don't show up and try? Pray every day, pray all day, but you have to show up ready to defend your very lives and those of your neighbors.
(4) Anonymous, October 15, 2015 2:06 PM
Repentance, prayer, charity forgiving
Correct - there are no political solutions. Any Jew-hater can grab a knife, screwdriver or vehicle with way to prevent it. #2 - one cannot deport Israeli Arab citizens who have not committed any offense to the other side of the barrier. It is neither just nor doable. Shooting terrorists dead prevents them from killing or harming more Jews, but it does not prevent their siblings, cousins and neighbors from continuing where they left off. In the radical-Muslim culture of death, they have nothing to live for. To their families, they are worth more dead than alive - for producing 'martyrs,' families are rewarded with steady stipends from terror organizations. No wonder they're so ecstatic and give out candies – now they don’t have to bother supporting themselves. To sum up, there IS NO political security solution. The ONLY genuine solution, as Sara Yocheved writes, is in the spiritual realm. Crying out to G-d is one of three time-tested spiritual solutions: teshuva (repentance), tefillah (prayer) and tzedaka (charity). Teshuva is the hardest, as it takes much inner work. Each person knows where his areas of weakness lie, whether in one’s relationship with our Creator, in interpersonal relationships or with oneself (self-abuse is also a sin – we are holy and created in G-d's image). If we don’t wake up now and become better people – each person checking his/her own backyard and not pointing accusing fingers at the next person – then we’re really comatose. G-d revealed at Sinai what He wants us to do. He's prodding us on – first with gentle nudges and then teeth-chattering shakes. Are we waiting for worse, or are we getting the message? One effective method to arouse Heavenly mercy is to forgive/forego: It says (loosely translated) ‘Whoever overlooks wrongs done to him, his own deliberate sins will be overlooked.’ (Rosh HaShanah 17a). This marvelous tool to cleanse ourselves of sin brings down Heavenly compassion even when we are less than deserving. Good luck!
(3) Aviel, October 15, 2015 1:41 PM
it's for certain necessary but not enough. lots of prayers and crying out to G-d throughout Jewsih history ie crusades,pogroms,shoa etc etc
Crying out to Gd to redeem us is important but for certain we need to make an effort to make sure our enemies pay a heavy price. Israel never really won a war since 1967. then local Arabs feared us.they knew what they would have done and still wish to do to us.all subsequent wars ended with mixed results. those parties who seek the destruction of the Jewish state remained intact along with their poisonous educational system. even during these challenging times my new born grandson is given over to Palestinian nurses at the local hospital for care, and my local pharmacist where i get my medication thru my medical plan is staffed with many Arabs. at least for now our destiny is to coexist but changes are needed. whether most these people want the end of the Jewish state or not is their business, but if they act on that wish then they and their family must pay the highest price.death and or deportation of all family members under military law. Israeli Jews have become a laughingstock and there is little or no fear even among the Israeli Arabs who laugh all the way to the bank taking all the benefits of citizenship. the gov't will and must do something .either give up more land admitting partial defeat which i think would be a show of weakness but if that's the reality so be it ,or get serious about protecting it's Jewish citizens.
Dvirah, October 15, 2015 5:02 PM
Agree
Yes, in addition to destroying their houses the Gov't should rescind the citizenships of the entire family. I also agree with the tactic of blockading neighborhoods linked to terrorists and searching - strip if necessary - all who want to exit. If found with anything which could do harm - even a nail scissors - the items should be confiscated and the people sent back home: no going out today, in affect a 24 hour house-arrest. Let the entire Arab community realize that there are consequences that affect ALL of them and maybe the "good citizens" will take control from the violent ones and the inciters - as the Mayor of Nazareth refused to allow them entrance to his city.
(2) Anonymous, October 15, 2015 11:58 AM
Here is another horrible, sad, but a solution none-the-less...
"What about the Arab citizens of Israel who live in Haifa and Nazareth, who are holding pro-terrorism rallies? Would you also “escort” them to the “other side of the barrier”?"
Yes!!
(1) Avigayil, October 15, 2015 11:19 AM
thank you for this inspiration
Thank you Sarah for this uplifting article. I too live in Jerusalem and feel the only way to overcome the anxiety and paralysis is to turn to G-d who is our only hope.