I absolutely love this!!! My two favorite quotations:
"The world had centuries to discover a better solution to the so-called Jewish problem. Instead, Jews solved it themselves. It is called Israel. Get used to saying that without lowering your voice.”
"The people chanting for ‘liberation’ while celebrating Islamist murderers are often the same people who need emotional support after receiving the wrong oat milk. Treat their moral lectures accordingly.”
Amen. “When hatred arrives, distinctions disappear.” This is the truth that hit my gut like a swift kick after Oct. 7. I’m no youngster but I realized that nothing else I have stood for or supported all my life matters when push comes to pogrom. The bottom line is I’m a Jew, which now feels like a privilege, not a burden. This clarity is what gives me the hunger for our history and the confidence to push back against ignorance and bias. Thank you for the encouragement! It applies to all of us, young and old.
"Do not be intimidated by people who insist they are merely 'anti-Zionist.' "
Standard definition of anti-Zionist: "the rejection of a Jewish nation-state and the denial of the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
How would the Irish, those virtuous anti-Zionists appreciate the following: "anti-Irishism: the rejection of an Irish nation-state and the denial of the Irish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland."
How about Egyptians, those fond lovers of Jews: "anti-Egyptianism the rejection of an Egyptian nation-state and the denial of the Egyptian people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland."
If these and all other national peoples would righteously oppose anyone promoting a rejection of their nation-state and denial of their right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, how much more so should Jews stand up for the rights all other national people are entitled. How much more so should Jews denounce anti-Zionism for what it is, Jew-hatred pure and simple.
"Your ancestors crossed deserts, survived pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, gas chambers, and terrorist bombs so that you could stand upright without asking anyone’s permission to be Jewish. Don’t waste their gift by apologizing for it."
What is the word for something bought with tears, blood, agony, cries of grief, shame? Certainly it is more than merely a gift.
"If your knowledge of Israel begins in 1967, someone has already stolen half the story from you."
Half? The story did not begin some 70 years ago. It began some 4,000 years ago when God promised Abraham a homeland for his descendants. Read Psalm 137 for a pure expression of our connection to that Land.
"Perfection has never been the admission price for nationhood." If it was, there never would have been a nation on earth.
There is a Yiddish term for "the good Jew." It is Mayufesnik. Flattering it ain't, but accurate it is.
"Learn from history before history reminds you."
As Bernard Malamud said, ""If you ever forget you're a Jew, a Gentile [non-Jew] will remind you."
Israel is "a country that much of the world judges by standards it has never applied to anyone else."
More egregiously, it judges Israel by standards it would never apply to itself. As Vasily Grossman so eloquently put it, "“Antisemitism is always a means rather than an end; it is a measure of the contradictions yet to be resolved. It is a mirror for the failings of individuals, social structures, and State systems. Tell me what you accuse the Jews of—I’ll tell you what you’re guilty of.”
Very well put! I'm not a Jew, but I totally enjoyed the 'open letter.' So much truth, and wisdom, and humor! This is a wonderful way to look at the present situation,
I'm going to spread the link to this page around, to those who claim to to be only "anti Israel, not anti Jewish!"
Joyous, yet steeped in real life ; with all the fears that result if you choose your media sources and online information as badly as we seem to do
The Jews are hated by the godless because they gave the world the One True God, who gave us His Commandments . And the wherewithal to have a relationship with Him that ends with Jesus for the former Gentiles who are without excuse. The Jews are God's people in God's showroom . We get to drive your cars ,but on rental terms you choose.
The godless hate you ,because Islam scares them . But they are chicken cowards ,who rage at you because they're terrified of Those Men who won't be named.
Scapegoating if course being the Jewish principle here. As if they'd know
They hate you too because you are everything that Ireland and Pakistan are not. You are not full of resentment, bile and envy because you create and succeed ,as long as you cut the west adrift
Spain is only the latest cursed land that shafted Israel. So colonised Muslim types break out and over their fences. Rather parallel to October 7th eh ...but I see no protests about the awful Iberians . Do you?
Excellent article. Should be required reading by all Jews, young and old.
I absolutely love this!!! My two favorite quotations:
"The world had centuries to discover a better solution to the so-called Jewish problem. Instead, Jews solved it themselves. It is called Israel. Get used to saying that without lowering your voice.”
"The people chanting for ‘liberation’ while celebrating Islamist murderers are often the same people who need emotional support after receiving the wrong oat milk. Treat their moral lectures accordingly.”
It doesn't get any better.
Nachum, thank you, yet again, for a great piece of writing.
Outstanding.
This will be shared widely and I will save this for my grandchildren - who cannot yet read.
shabbat shalom
Absolutely true and very well said!
Fabulous letter for all ages!
Education starts at home 🏡.
Amen. “When hatred arrives, distinctions disappear.” This is the truth that hit my gut like a swift kick after Oct. 7. I’m no youngster but I realized that nothing else I have stood for or supported all my life matters when push comes to pogrom. The bottom line is I’m a Jew, which now feels like a privilege, not a burden. This clarity is what gives me the hunger for our history and the confidence to push back against ignorance and bias. Thank you for the encouragement! It applies to all of us, young and old.
Loved this essay, so many excellent points. Trying to pick just one was difficult, but here it is:
"Nothing irritates antisemites quite like happy Jews."
Be happy and have no fear, Hashem is with us.
"Do not be intimidated by people who insist they are merely 'anti-Zionist.' "
Standard definition of anti-Zionist: "the rejection of a Jewish nation-state and the denial of the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
How would the Irish, those virtuous anti-Zionists appreciate the following: "anti-Irishism: the rejection of an Irish nation-state and the denial of the Irish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland."
How about Egyptians, those fond lovers of Jews: "anti-Egyptianism the rejection of an Egyptian nation-state and the denial of the Egyptian people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland."
If these and all other national peoples would righteously oppose anyone promoting a rejection of their nation-state and denial of their right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, how much more so should Jews stand up for the rights all other national people are entitled. How much more so should Jews denounce anti-Zionism for what it is, Jew-hatred pure and simple.
"Your ancestors crossed deserts, survived pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, gas chambers, and terrorist bombs so that you could stand upright without asking anyone’s permission to be Jewish. Don’t waste their gift by apologizing for it."
What is the word for something bought with tears, blood, agony, cries of grief, shame? Certainly it is more than merely a gift.
"If your knowledge of Israel begins in 1967, someone has already stolen half the story from you."
Half? The story did not begin some 70 years ago. It began some 4,000 years ago when God promised Abraham a homeland for his descendants. Read Psalm 137 for a pure expression of our connection to that Land.
"Perfection has never been the admission price for nationhood." If it was, there never would have been a nation on earth.
There is a Yiddish term for "the good Jew." It is Mayufesnik. Flattering it ain't, but accurate it is.
"Learn from history before history reminds you."
As Bernard Malamud said, ""If you ever forget you're a Jew, a Gentile [non-Jew] will remind you."
Israel is "a country that much of the world judges by standards it has never applied to anyone else."
More egregiously, it judges Israel by standards it would never apply to itself. As Vasily Grossman so eloquently put it, "“Antisemitism is always a means rather than an end; it is a measure of the contradictions yet to be resolved. It is a mirror for the failings of individuals, social structures, and State systems. Tell me what you accuse the Jews of—I’ll tell you what you’re guilty of.”
Kol Hakavod, Nachum. A gem of an essay!!
Amen brother and continue to practice, practice, practice.
Very well put! I'm not a Jew, but I totally enjoyed the 'open letter.' So much truth, and wisdom, and humor! This is a wonderful way to look at the present situation,
I'm going to spread the link to this page around, to those who claim to to be only "anti Israel, not anti Jewish!"
Thank you!
Just brilliant and all embracing.
Joyous, yet steeped in real life ; with all the fears that result if you choose your media sources and online information as badly as we seem to do
The Jews are hated by the godless because they gave the world the One True God, who gave us His Commandments . And the wherewithal to have a relationship with Him that ends with Jesus for the former Gentiles who are without excuse. The Jews are God's people in God's showroom . We get to drive your cars ,but on rental terms you choose.
The godless hate you ,because Islam scares them . But they are chicken cowards ,who rage at you because they're terrified of Those Men who won't be named.
Scapegoating if course being the Jewish principle here. As if they'd know
They hate you too because you are everything that Ireland and Pakistan are not. You are not full of resentment, bile and envy because you create and succeed ,as long as you cut the west adrift
Spain is only the latest cursed land that shafted Israel. So colonised Muslim types break out and over their fences. Rather parallel to October 7th eh ...but I see no protests about the awful Iberians . Do you?
!!!👏👏🔥🔥🔥💐💐💐Love this!!
Many Bons mots herein! You are an inspiration, especially to those who've been around too long to discuss.... Bravo NK!