Today is Yom Ha Zikron, Israel's day to remember her war dead. There are many, from too many wars. The way things are shaping up, another is on its way, and Israel may not survive it.
In the wake of the destruction of the Second Temple and the sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans, Jewish rebels occupied the winter palace of King Herod atop a plateau alongside the Dead Sea called Masada. For three years this band hurled dung on the Roman camps below, and harassed the slaves who steadily built a ramp up the mountain's side.
When at last the Romans were able to lay siege to the fortress the Jews decided to take their lives rather than be enslaved. Contrary to many who believe this was a mass suicide, only one person actually killed themselves. Lots were drawn. Ten men were selected to take the lives of the people. The ten were killed until only one was left, who took his own life, thus sparing the majority from committing the sins of cold blooded murder and suicide.
Today's Israeli soldiers, upon completion of basic training, have their swearing-in ceremony atop Masada, taking the oath that, "Masada shall not fall again."
It is the hope of every generation that no longer will enemies rise up against us. But today Israel is being pressured into committing national suicide to the pleasure of the Resident. More is at stake in Israel's survival than most people realize. If Masada falls, I do not care to speculate what the future holds.
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4 comments:
Me either. I have visited Massada. I remember it warmly. We need to follow suit and remember all war dead too but not just one day ... every day!
What navyvet48 said. There was a time when I was young and naive and thought there could be peace on earth one day. This is an almost impossible thing to imagine anymore, sadly.
The Masada option is a thing of the past.
Israel now has a nuclear arsenal, and the Sampson option is the current reality.
Israels enemies must be willing to face their own destruction if they are prepared to carry out their threats.
Yom Atzmaut Sameach!
Happy, I agree, but the Sampson option only works in the hands of a government willing to exercise it. Since Oslo we seem to only have governments willing to commit the Masada option.
Now that Israel is being backed into a corner by the Resident it remains to be seen how the current government will respond. I for one am nervous.
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