Benjamin, thank you for this heartfelt piece. One observation--group expressions of rage and protest cannot substitute for internal individual strength and resolve to be strong and able to defend one's self and loved ones. Situational awareness, self-defense training, reporting rageful and armed adversaries to local and federal authorities with audiovisual evidence, and standing one's ground are strong deterrents to anti-Jewish and anti-Israel protesters and lone wolves. Energy expenditure in rage-filled public displays create risk--internal strength, individual preparedness, and standing one's ground make adversaries think twice. Being disciplined, capable and resolute in appearance can go a long way.
Bialilk was correct up to a point, but the Holocaust changed the view of the world and made anti Semitism go underground from 1945 until 1967. The left which was then beginning its long march through Western culture and insitutions then slowly turrned on a victorious Israel, in a manner that really manifested itself openly and blatantly after 10/7.
Be angry if you must, but there is yet another choice. If one believes in HaShem and reads His Word, one can see that He actually warned us about the Holocaust. Jeremiah 16 tells us that he will send us out of Israel for ingnoring His instructions, and some time after that, He will bring us back, by sending fishers and hunters. If one ignores the fishers, such as Nefesh B'Nefesh, He will send the hunters. The hunters are now all over the exile, and most Jews are still ignoring them. Complain all you want, but refusal to hear and understand will result in tragedy. Come home to Israel and your anger will leave. Israel is constantly ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. What more proof do you need? Be angry or happy - your choice.
Ok I’m angry, now what? Liberal democracy doesn’t stand a chance Islamic fascism.. until Islam is recognized as a political ideology freedom of religion gives them the power to inflate and conquer.
There are far far more Black people in the world than Jews. Black people can express their rage in numbers and be taken seriously (and get a lot of support from non-Blacks), but Jews' rage or outrage or complaints is considered insignificant and thus ignored (and we have very little support from non-Jews).
Actually, I must say that a very large number of non-Jews (in Europe and in India, not the middle east) are on the side of the Jews. The Eurovision vote indicated that. A noisy minority eclipses this, especially because the media highlights them and ignores the large pro-Israel marches in London, NY, Toronto etc.
Thank you for a great heartfelt piece Benjamin - my heart bleeds with Israel. BUT ( and yes I know that “yes, but” is the mating call of an arsehole, but still…..)
I think you have to be Jewish to understand the Jewish obsession with life and being good to others. Despite me not being Jewish, I have been called a Zionist - a badge which I wear with honour. I grew up surrounded by devout Christians who love Israel and have never questioned the right of the Hebrews to live in the Holy Land. The question does not compute - it is in my DNA. For heaven’s sake – it is written in the Bible! Every child in any civilised home knows that!
And yet when I look at some of my fellow “christians” who were taught to “love thy neighbour”, “turn the other cheek” by a great visionary whom they consider to be their Messiah, all I can do is shake my head. Where is the milk of human kindness when it comes to Jews? There is plenty for the Falestinians (I believe that Arabs have a problem with the letter “P”), but none for the Jews.
I can go on and on – just suffice to say, I am capable of the most unspeakable acts of violence when my loved ones are threatened or harmed – I will not stand idly by when they are harmed or threatened. I know that both the Old and New Testament state that we must leave vengeance to G-d - and yet I think more along the lines of:
Jeremiah 6:11 - “But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.”
I know that Jeremiah directed his rage at the people of Judea for their disobedience BUT perhaps it is time that the Hebrews pour out the wrath of their (and our) G-d onto their enemies. My G-d – enough is enough. Let us talk about “l’chaim” and “Am Yisrael Chai” as supporters of Israel, and “live and let die” to the enemies of Israel.
On the other hand, I must add that a very large number of non-Jews (in Europe and in India, not the middle east) are on the side of the Jews. The Eurovision vote indicated that. A noisy minority eclipses this, especially because the media highlights them and ignores the large pro-Israel marches in London, NY, Toronto etc.
Mirroring the preparedness of Israel's military and civilian security capabilities (which have withstood assaults and launched offensive actions par excellence) are effective models going forward. Being informed, disciplined, trained and demonstrating resolve are a winning combination...especially when compared to our rage-filled adversaries.
Rage is a preferred emotion over fear. Jews become victims when they display fear. Jews become victorious when they display rage. Rage, though, must be backed up by the ability to channel that rage. Be mad, but be prepared to fight. Evil is repulsed when the victim fights back. Above all be vociferous, because silence is consent. Do not be sheep being herded to slaughter. So, display your rage.
Jewish rage is certainly nothing new, who could forget the striking imagery of Psalm 137:9 “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” Or the alleged divine command to “leave none that breathes” in the land of Canaan. Whether such bloodthirsty imprecations were carried out remains dubious, but certainly in rhetoric the Israelites were hardly restrained. Now after a short couple thousand years interval, victory has permitted a return to old ways, although beating up Arabs is not exactly a Championship level challenge, more of an old Middle Eastern pastime since the Abbasids went soft.
Thank you so much for your wonderful essay.......you're absolutely right about our rage, the cold blooded murder of a beautiful young couple in DC, the murder of pregnant woman, going to the hospital with her husband, to deliver her baby and all the injustice and Doble Standards of the world against Israel ....
Benjamin, thank you for this heartfelt piece. One observation--group expressions of rage and protest cannot substitute for internal individual strength and resolve to be strong and able to defend one's self and loved ones. Situational awareness, self-defense training, reporting rageful and armed adversaries to local and federal authorities with audiovisual evidence, and standing one's ground are strong deterrents to anti-Jewish and anti-Israel protesters and lone wolves. Energy expenditure in rage-filled public displays create risk--internal strength, individual preparedness, and standing one's ground make adversaries think twice. Being disciplined, capable and resolute in appearance can go a long way.
Bialilk was correct up to a point, but the Holocaust changed the view of the world and made anti Semitism go underground from 1945 until 1967. The left which was then beginning its long march through Western culture and insitutions then slowly turrned on a victorious Israel, in a manner that really manifested itself openly and blatantly after 10/7.
Be angry if you must, but there is yet another choice. If one believes in HaShem and reads His Word, one can see that He actually warned us about the Holocaust. Jeremiah 16 tells us that he will send us out of Israel for ingnoring His instructions, and some time after that, He will bring us back, by sending fishers and hunters. If one ignores the fishers, such as Nefesh B'Nefesh, He will send the hunters. The hunters are now all over the exile, and most Jews are still ignoring them. Complain all you want, but refusal to hear and understand will result in tragedy. Come home to Israel and your anger will leave. Israel is constantly ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. What more proof do you need? Be angry or happy - your choice.
Ok I’m angry, now what? Liberal democracy doesn’t stand a chance Islamic fascism.. until Islam is recognized as a political ideology freedom of religion gives them the power to inflate and conquer.
There are far far more Black people in the world than Jews. Black people can express their rage in numbers and be taken seriously (and get a lot of support from non-Blacks), but Jews' rage or outrage or complaints is considered insignificant and thus ignored (and we have very little support from non-Jews).
Actually, I must say that a very large number of non-Jews (in Europe and in India, not the middle east) are on the side of the Jews. The Eurovision vote indicated that. A noisy minority eclipses this, especially because the media highlights them and ignores the large pro-Israel marches in London, NY, Toronto etc.
Thank you for a great heartfelt piece Benjamin - my heart bleeds with Israel. BUT ( and yes I know that “yes, but” is the mating call of an arsehole, but still…..)
I think you have to be Jewish to understand the Jewish obsession with life and being good to others. Despite me not being Jewish, I have been called a Zionist - a badge which I wear with honour. I grew up surrounded by devout Christians who love Israel and have never questioned the right of the Hebrews to live in the Holy Land. The question does not compute - it is in my DNA. For heaven’s sake – it is written in the Bible! Every child in any civilised home knows that!
And yet when I look at some of my fellow “christians” who were taught to “love thy neighbour”, “turn the other cheek” by a great visionary whom they consider to be their Messiah, all I can do is shake my head. Where is the milk of human kindness when it comes to Jews? There is plenty for the Falestinians (I believe that Arabs have a problem with the letter “P”), but none for the Jews.
I can go on and on – just suffice to say, I am capable of the most unspeakable acts of violence when my loved ones are threatened or harmed – I will not stand idly by when they are harmed or threatened. I know that both the Old and New Testament state that we must leave vengeance to G-d - and yet I think more along the lines of:
Jeremiah 6:11 - “But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.”
I know that Jeremiah directed his rage at the people of Judea for their disobedience BUT perhaps it is time that the Hebrews pour out the wrath of their (and our) G-d onto their enemies. My G-d – enough is enough. Let us talk about “l’chaim” and “Am Yisrael Chai” as supporters of Israel, and “live and let die” to the enemies of Israel.
BLESSINGS: PLENTY FOR YOU AND YOUR DEAR ONES.
If you do not shape your story, your enemies will shape it for you.
Many non-Jews share your rage. I didn't know what to do with mine, especially at the people around me who seemed indifferent, so I wrote this but it hasn't diminished my rage: https://ruthvanita452091.substack.com/p/killing-indifference
On the other hand, I must add that a very large number of non-Jews (in Europe and in India, not the middle east) are on the side of the Jews. The Eurovision vote indicated that. A noisy minority eclipses this, especially because the media highlights them and ignores the large pro-Israel marches in London, NY, Toronto etc.
Mirroring the preparedness of Israel's military and civilian security capabilities (which have withstood assaults and launched offensive actions par excellence) are effective models going forward. Being informed, disciplined, trained and demonstrating resolve are a winning combination...especially when compared to our rage-filled adversaries.
Powerful words, Benjamin. Thank you for speaking them forcefully with the anger that they merit!
Rage is a preferred emotion over fear. Jews become victims when they display fear. Jews become victorious when they display rage. Rage, though, must be backed up by the ability to channel that rage. Be mad, but be prepared to fight. Evil is repulsed when the victim fights back. Above all be vociferous, because silence is consent. Do not be sheep being herded to slaughter. So, display your rage.
Jewish rage is certainly nothing new, who could forget the striking imagery of Psalm 137:9 “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” Or the alleged divine command to “leave none that breathes” in the land of Canaan. Whether such bloodthirsty imprecations were carried out remains dubious, but certainly in rhetoric the Israelites were hardly restrained. Now after a short couple thousand years interval, victory has permitted a return to old ways, although beating up Arabs is not exactly a Championship level challenge, more of an old Middle Eastern pastime since the Abbasids went soft.
Your epistemological ability is nil.
Such trenchant criticism!
Thank you so much for your wonderful essay.......you're absolutely right about our rage, the cold blooded murder of a beautiful young couple in DC, the murder of pregnant woman, going to the hospital with her husband, to deliver her baby and all the injustice and Doble Standards of the world against Israel ....
We've been taking your shit for 2,000 years. You can have your 70.
Sorry, but I'm done with people like you. I do not recognize your right to make any argument about anything ever. Goodbye.