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What a psychological, spiritual and moral wrestling match we Jews are having. If our struggle weren’t so daunting and serious, it would almost resemble Tevya’s struggles and conversations with God.
On one hand, we generally hate trump’s amorality, criminality, authoritarianism, cruelty and not-so-closeted embrace of white Christian nationalist and anti-Semitic groups of voters.
On the other hand, we love that he has supported and continues to support Israel, especially now against an Iranian state determined to destroy Israel.
On the other hand, does this justify trump and Netanyahu’s war or choice that is killing of so many Iranians and destroying their cities.
On the other hand, we absolutely support Israel’s right to simply exist and defend itself, especially against Iran and groups like Hamas, whose reason for existence is the killing of Jews and the annihilation of Israeli nation itself.
On the other hand, we feel anger and mourn the killing of so many Gazans and Iranians in the name of protecting Israel.
On the other hand, were any of our neighborhoods, family or friends attacked, murdered or kidnapped by an extremist group, wouldn’t we demand that they be he hunted down and punished.
On the other hand, many of us fail to condemn extremist Israeli settlers who have historically, and even now, invaded, attacked and even killed innocent Arab neighbors.
On the other hand, what is fair revenge when the civilian Gazan population knew about and actively colluded with the building of tunnels and weapons stockpiles throughout their neighborhoods in order to attack and their Israeli neighbors.
On the other hand, Israel is the only nation in the world that was established so that Jews finally have a home where they can’t be discriminated against or killed simply because they are Jews.
On the other hand, extremist religious Israelis discriminate against Arabs and less religious Israelis and even refuse to defend Israel. Nor do they consider Israel’s existence to be legitimate, even as they thrive and survive due to Israel’s existence.
It’s against our Jewish sense of tolerance and forgiveness to hate the “other”.. On the other hand, Muslims label Israelis as Nazis in their treatment of Palestinians and then remain silent when leaders of their own Muslim countries mistreat, disrespect (especially women) and kill far more of their own citizens.
OY, it’s hard being a Jew today. But then again, wrestling with God has always been our rich, yet vexing path.
Thank you, Don, for expressing in writing what so many of us are struggling with mentally and emotionally. One thing to add — while the dream of not having the Iranian anti-semitism/anti-Israel regime gone,some of us sadly don’t trust that attacking Iran in this way at this time with apparently no plan was a good idea. It is having unintended consequences. It seems to be increasing Jew-hatred (a word to be used instead of anti-semitism) and may actually destroy Israel in the end.