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Ellen W. Horowitz lives in the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter, writer and political activist.
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By Ellen W. Horowitz
April 29, 2002
George W. Bush reintroduced the word "evil" into the American lexicon. Great move, George! There are a lot of awesome terms and concepts that have, up until recently, been under the exclusive domain of "bible thumpers." Fire and brimstone terminology always makes us Jews a bit nervous. I think it reminds us of who we are or how we used to be. We get all wobbly-limbed when we're reminded of our cosmic responsibilities and obligations.
When the world goes into crisis, Jews inevitably find themselves cast in the leading role. We get major stage fright and with good reason. Depending on numerous factors, both in and out of our control, the grand, universal production can turn out to be either a triumph or tragedy. We've all seen or participated in the plot of the trampled Jew a few too many times, so we're very reluctant to pick up our scripts. But the Director is insistent and so we have no choice.
We weren't "chosen" for our good looks or brains. In chaotic times like these - when the world loses direction - we were entrusted with a map called Torah. And within it is the blueprint of this world, complete with all its foundations.
So, I think it's time for the Jewish People to "come out of the closet" and reacquaint ourselves with ourselves, and with some very ancient, but eternal concepts.
There's an oldie but goodie called "vengeance". In its purest form, vengeance is a magnificent concept that goes hand in hand with justice. In spite of its dreadful implications, it's a mechanism that at times must be employed to keep the world in balance.
It's frightening stuff and it could very well be that our fear of the power, and upheaval unleashed when taking vengeance has caused us to hesitate and has thus allowed for evil in this world to gain the upper hand. But creative and productive people, who have a healthy survival instinct, at times have to employ extremely severe measures in order ensure their continued existence.
I'm not alluding to a westernized version of "an eye for an eye". Nor am I referring the "right to self-defense" or "proportional response," notions coming out of the U.S. State Department and White House. No. I'm talking about inflicting such utter and complete devastation to the enemy that they dare not raise their heads again in conflict.
It isn't pretty. It isn't nice and it isn't fun. The only joy a Jew could possibly derive from such action is knowing that he has ensured a future for his children and vanquished a force that brought destruction and evil to the world.
Taking vengeance comes with a price. One has to endure a variety of hostile reactions and run the grueling "moral equivalency" course. The historical "Nazi" stain that the opponents of the Jewish People are so anxious to share with us will never stick. To the worlds' dismay, blood lust just isn't a part of our genetic make-up. The European and Arab world know it.
They also know, only too well, that we've paid a dear price for bearing the torch of humanity and morality. And some day, somehow, the score will be evened. That knowledge is embedded in their self-conscience and that's why they insist on "restraint." They know something else...
A whole new generation has grown up in Israel free from the shackles of the exile mentality. These young Jews understand love, life and compassion, but they don't understand the fear and the self-inflicted repression of expression that Diaspora Jewry has meticulously cultivated through the years in order to merely survive.
For the Diaspora Jew, watching CNN cover the Middle East becomes an exercise in torture. But from where I'm sitting in Israel, Andrea Koppel and Christiane Amanpour offer the very best in entertainment and comic relief. That's because Jews prefer to be active players, rather than passive observers.
The Jews of Israel are no longer afraid to fulfill the role required of them. And that's got everyone from the Pope to the European Union and Arafat jumping up and down and screaming "restraint".
The world once again descends into chaos and we Jews are once again caught in the middle. Only this time, instead of cowering, we get to rise to the occasion. We've been blessed with a sovereign state and a competent army. It seems, that if we play our cards right, we may finally have the chance and the privilege to set things straight.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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