Friday, December 8th, 2023

It finally happened.  After decades, I finally understand something that Golda Meir famously said. It’s a two-part quote: “We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We can not forgive them for forcing us to kill theirs.” Forgiving them for killing our kids is a topic for Yom Kippur discussions, so let’s put that aside for now. But why do I suddenly understand that quote?

Well, I was just reading yet another skewed report of what’s happening in Gaza. Something about the poor Palestinian guys who were found (in an area that should have been cleared) and are being detained as I write this. All of the guys are ages 20-40, that wonderful window of life when you have the physical strength to get any job done and be a successful terrorist. The IDF stripped them down to their underwear because, as anyone would imagine, the IDF needed to make sure that no one was hiding any weapons.

The report quoted a Palestinians who was talking about how humiliating it is. How Israelis just want to see men naked or in their underwear. Ah, the shame, the indignity! How dare the IDF! And as I read that, I felt myself instantly transformed. Just as I scream at the TV on a regular basis while watching the news, I now felt that familiar outrage and shouted aloud, “Poor you! In your underwear! What about the girls you stripped and raped while laughing and celebrating? Poor you, you piece of garbage!”

And here’s the thing. My rant turned into cursing at this spokesperson, wishing him torture, wishing him to lose limbs, wishing him a slow painful death. And I meant every word. Every single word. Then I stopped and thought, What has happened to me?! What in the world has become of me? Am I really wishing such inhumane wishes? THIS is what Golda was talking about. We Jews are moral, decent people. We know the difference between right and wrong. These sick enemies “force” us (Golda’s word) to do and say things that go against everything we’ve ever been taught. Pushed over the edge. Changed us into unrecognizable beings. And that is impossible to forgive.

May we find inner peace this Shabbat. As we light our Chanukah candles, let us pray for a true miracle that brings the hostages and our soldiers home safely. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Chanukah Sameach!