The Importance of Joy and Confidence in Wartime

by Rabbi Avraham Vasserman, prolific author and lecturer in Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, translated by Hillel Fendel.

I. The Yom Kippur War

Every year in commemoration of Israel's great victory in October 1973, the press chooses to treat us to a plethora of articles on the "failure" that accompanied it. This word is so frequently attached to the Yom Kippur War that it often seems as if the war was one big failure. 

Yes, there was a failure, in Israel's intelligence. The enemy's war preparations were very obvious, yet our "intelligence elements" either didn't see them or ignored them. Thus, Israel was caught by surprise, and enemy armies penetrated into our territory. Yet, only 11 days later, on the day before Simchat Torah, the IDF crossed the Suez Canal westward into Egypt. And after only a week more, our forces had practically erased the Egyptian army. In Syria, as well, Israeli forces managed to turn the enemy advance into a retreat, and marched to within 40 kilometers (25 miles) of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Were it not for American pressure, our victory could have been massive and Egypt would have signed a surrender agreement.

By both simple logic and natural instinct, our incredible comeback in the Yom Kippur War should be commemorated as the greatest achievement in the history of the State of Israel. Alongside the grief and sorrow at our heavy losses, it should be celebrated as a miracle of salvation and victory. On the contrary: the failure of the beginning of the war is precisely that which highlights the enormity of what we achieved. 

But the agenda-driven wailing of the media outlets took over the national ambience. A type of national trauma has developed, with the active maintenance of certain elements, to the effect that the army cannot be counted upon – even though the facts proved otherwise. This was a main reason for the signing of the scandalous peace agreements in 1979, in which we had to give away the Sinai Peninsula and its strategic depth, oil fields, airports, tourist attractions, and, certainly not least, its Jewish communities. 

The absurdity is that it's the defeated Egyptians who celebrate every year their success at surprising us and their early battlefield accomplishments. They thus raise their morale and strengthen their resolve to defeat us at the next opportunity. Of late we have seen the wide-ranging preparations of the Egyptian army, which they don't even seek to hide, in anticipation of the next war. [For instance, IsraelDefense reported that this past May, Egypt signed a contract to buy 30 advanced French Rafale fighter jets, even though it is under no significant security threat from any country. – HF]

II. Nothing New Here

A similar story happened in the Bible when King David defeated his rebellious son Avshalom. Despite his boastful and arrogant behavior, the latter was able to take his father by surprise when he actually sought to overthrow and kill him. David, crowned with victories in past wars, became in one moment a man running for his life, with several hundred of his fighters. However, he did not despair, and instead did the unbelievable: winning with his small force a decisive victory over Avshalom's much larger army. 

David's soldiers returned home as joyful victors from the battle they had waged and won against all odds. They expected the tambourines and drums of a victory parade, just as those that greeted David when he defeated the Philistines. But then – David stood at the gate and cried out in anguish, "Avshalom my son! Would I have died instead of you!" The victory celebrations ended abruptly, and the people left quietly, as if they had been defeated.

Yoav, David's Chief of Staff, blessed with sharp instincts, realized what was going on. He understood that under no circumstances should the joy of victory turn into mourning. He even threatened David - the only time he did so - that if David continued to mourn, the situation would become even worse for him.

David wiped away his tears, went out to the people and congratulated them on their victory, and thus restored their pride, joy and enthusiasm. Later, when David commanded his son and successor Shlomo to take vengeance on certain people who had committed unforgiveable offenses, one of them was Yoav. But David said that this was because he had killed Avner and Amasa, and mentioned nothing about Yoav's having killed Avshalom; apparently, David agreed with Yoav's approach. 

III. An Opportunity for National Repentance

Maimonides teaches us the definition of genuine and total repentance: "It is when a person has the opportunity to commit the same sin that he once committed, under the same circumstances, yet restrains himself and does not do so – not because of fear, and not because of lack of strength, but only because he has done teshuvah." (Laws of Teshuvah 2,1)

It is very rare that a person finds himself with the chance to commit the exact same sin under the same circumstances. But it appears that now, we have this precise opportunity, on the national plane. 

Just like during the Yom Kippur War, an intelligence failure on the part of our experts, who ignored the open preparations of the enemy, led to the massive tragedy of last year's Simchat Torah. 

The mass murders, kidnappings, abuse and humiliation were terrible beyond description. Our enemies are proud of what they did, and show off videos of their "achievements" to glorify their name to their countrymen who appreciate this type of cruelty. This, even though they have been defeated in a way that no one could have imagined. But most unfortunately, once again, elements among us – driven by their own agenda of toppling the government at any cost – seek to cast what happened only as a failure and a defeat, and to create a national spirit of doom - one that is liable to bring about an even greater disaster.

This, then, is our opportunity to rectify that which happened after Yom Kippur in 1973. Together with the mourning, pain and sorrow we are experiencing, we must remember that we have what to celebrate and rejoice: We are winning the war, on several fronts. We have shown the wondrous ability to arise from a terrible thrashing and recover to beat back the enemy and attack them wherever they are. 

We are in the midst of an amazing reversal in which the IDF's ground-forces army – which had been all but dried up for years by irresponsible elements who promoted the concept of a "small, smart army" – became within a short time a tremendous war machine filled with an optimistic and idealistic fighting spirit. Even more: We are witnesses to another national reversal of a renewed confidence in our path and general insistence that we not stop the battle until our enemy is vanquished.

This is thus the opportunity for our national repentance. Let us not squander it.

Four Mistakes That Need Not Happen – Please!

by Prof. Ron Breiman, former Chairman of Professors for a Strong Israel, translated by Hillel Fendel.

Most unfortunately, it appears that even after we are administered a massive, painful lesson, we still don't necessarily learn it. Instead, we occasionally doom ourselves to repeat the same, very costly mistakes. Here are four recent examples. 

1. There are those in various positions of leadership or influence who still believe that a partial deal for the release of just some of the captives from Hamas tunnels is a good idea. The notion being floated is that individual captives, such as women and possibly older men, would be freed in exchange for a ceasefire of as-yet undetermined length. This deal is supported by the Hostages' Families Task Force – which claims to represent all the families, but in actuality does not – as well as many in the media. 

However, this is clearly an immoral initiative, as it would relegate the majority of the hostages – soldiers and young men – to continued suffering, with no prospects for release from the cruel terrorists and return to their families. There is thus no reason to keep on discussing or considering it.

The only possible deal that Israel can consider is one in which all the hostages are released at once, even at the price of a cessation of the war. As long as Hamas does not itself initiate such an exchange, it means that the terrorists are not deterred, not afraid, and not defeated. And that means that there is no such animal as a "victory photo" that many seem to believe is something realistic to strive for. There will be no such morale-raising photo, and certainly not following an unethical deal that abandons our kidnapped soldiers.

2. Another failed idea that is once again being raised for consideration, and even being entertained seriously in some circles, is that of a diplomatic agreement with Hizbullah/Lebanon. Some are saying that we must return to past UN ceasefire resolutions. But it will be recalled that these were advanced by failed Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Tzippy Livni for the purpose of ending the Second Lebanon War, and that they heavily involve the incompetent – some say the correct word would be "malicious" – UNIFIL peacekeeping forces. We are witness to daily cooperation between UNIFIL and Hizbullah (just like UNRWA with Hamas), as well as anti-Israeli (arguably anti-Semitic) activity by the French president and government, as well as the head of the superfluous body known as the United Nations. 

There can be no logic to imposing an agreement in Lebanon without Israeli retaining the capacity to respond immediately to any enemy violations. This idea, too, must be dropped from the table immediately. 

3. And yet another notion that, sadly, is being raised once again is called "The Day After." This is a popular codeword for what is expected to happen after we complete the conquest of Gaza and the destruction of Hamas – and not a few expect this to involve the transfer of power over Gaza to another terrorist organization, one that is named the Palestinian Authority. 

For us to enable the PA to take over Gaza is simply unimaginable. Whoever is still stuck in past conceptions – mostly the Oslo Accords conception, that peace can be attained with the PA – continues repeatedly to try to sell this same dangerous idea again and again while hoping for different results. This is why the official Iron Swords War committee of inquiry (which has still not yet been formed or even decided upon) must begin its work from the (mis)conception that led, predictably and despite many warnings, to the Oslo War, also known as the Second Intifada. There are many in the political and security establishments for whom the other shoe has not yet dropped, and who still believe in the same ideas that the Simchat Torah massacre proved so wrong. Most unfortunately, they are willing to lose the current war, and many IDF soldiers, so that a PA state can be formed in western Eretz Yisrael – adjacent to Israel at first, and upon its ruins at a later stage, Heaven forbid. 

According to this conception that they simply cannot shake off, there are only two options: either the formation of an enemy state in the heart of our Land, or the annexation of Judea and Samaria, which would render the Arabs a sizeable Trojan horse minority in Israel. They simply ignore the existence of a third alternative: the very likely possibility that the current situation can continue until the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan collapses, leading to the actualization of the "Palestine is Jordan, Jordan is Palestine" option promoted by none other than King Hussein.

4. "Territories for peace." What a terrible idea, dating back to just after the Six Day War! - and yet some are considering it once again. Aside from its military and political folly, it would be an unforgivable turning of our backs on the heart of our country - Judea and Samaria, and a betrayal of our soldiers – our sons, husbands, and brothers – whose contribution to the IDF is and has been invaluable.

In light of the above, it would certainly be in place to repeat the immortal words attributed to Albert Einstein: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Joy at the Fall of the Wicked Ones

by Emanuel Shilo, editor of Besheva, translated by Hillel Fendel.

In the rush of the unprecedented events overtaking us at breakneck speed, it is incredible to realize that a seminal and cardinal miracle that took place only a week and a half ago is already being somewhat overshadowed and even forgotten. This article by Besheva editor Emanuel Shilo helps restore it to its proper proportions – and reminds us what it obligates us to continue to do. 

So where were you when you heard the colossal news that our forces had liquidated Hizbullah leader Nasrallah, may his memory be erased? 

I personally was spending the Sabbath in the Shomron community of Har Brachah, together with the educational staff and students of the girls' high school in which my wife works – Ulpanat Tziyah of Revavah. Many of those I know had to hear the news with half an ear, from foreign workers and the like, given that it was publicized on the Sabbath – but I was able to hear it in a more direct manner: A high defense alert was suddenly declared throughout the area upon the news of Nasrallah's death, and the security personnel amongst us were told to have their phones with them at all times. 

When Nasrallah's death was officially announced, while we were eating the festive Sabbath meal, the principal stood up to announce the great salvation to which G-d had treated us. Cheers and verses of thanks and joy erupted from every corner, and it immediately became clear that this was precisely the time for us, the few men who were present, to make our way outside so that the girls could dance in celebration. We ten men found ourselves outside, and while until now our primary commonality was our wives' workplace, we instinctively felt the urge to join together in a circle of dancing and thanksgiving. 

I don't usually get carried away, but this time I was flooded with emotions that brought tears to my eyes. After all the difficult experiences we endured this year, here was the Master of the Universe shining His face upon us, on this final Sabbath of the year 5784, giving into our hands the most prominent and blatant of our enemies, the mass murderer who continually vilified and threatened the Nation of Israel, the State of Israel, and the IDF. It is reminiscent of Sisera falling to the hands of Yael [as recounted in the Book of Judges] and the felling of Goliath by David and his slingshot. We danced and sang Hatov (Your Mercies are Endless), Yodu LaHshem Chasdo (Acknowledging G-d's Kindnesses), and of course Samson's song of vengeance Zokhreini Na (Remember Me).

2. Incidentally, I'm not so sure anymore about the relevance of that last song. Not because of its theme of vengeance; vengeance that pushes us to destroy the evil ones who wish to exterminate us and who hate the G-d of Israel is a very positive sentiment, when used at the right times and against the right people. My problem with this song in the context of Hizbullah and Hamas is the opposite: I feel it is too weak. When Samson said those words, with which he "brought down the house" upon hundreds of enemy Philistines in his final act in life, it was out of despair and defeat. But in our generation, against our enemies, this is not at all the case, thank G-d. We want national revenge against Hamas, Hizbullah, the Houthis, and the Iranian regime that will bring them destruction not together with ours, as Samson prayed for, but such that will bring us total victory! We don't want it "only this one time," as Samson prayed, but for as many times as it will take until the evil is overcome! We ask that G-d "bless our soldiers, bring our enemies down under their feet, and crown them with salvation and victory." We pray, as David did, to "pursue my enemies and destroy them, and I should not return before their decimation" (Samuel II 22). 

This is why I proposed yet another song during this dance, with words taken from the weekly Torah portion of Haazinu (Deut. 32,43): Harninu Goyim Amo, "Let the tribes of His nation sing praise, for He will avenge the blood of his servants." Incidentally, it is said that it was Rav Kook himself who gave these words its popular melody [taken from another song], and it happened on the Simchat Torah that followed the Hebron pogrom of 1929 in which local Arabs massacred 67 of their Jewish neighbors. 

3. Our great military successes against the Lebanese-Shiite enemy, including the wondrous beeper attacks against thousands of terrorists in one fell swoop, are not only a reason for happiness and thanksgiving. They also demand of us a total commitment to overcome all obstacles and opposition, and to continue our military campaign until total victory, and not to cease until our northern residents can return to their homes in total safety. We must not give in to foreign pressures, even from those who claim to be our best friends, who say that we have every right to defend ourselves but seek to prevent us from actually winning.

And in the south as well: We must continue to tighten our choke-hold over the Hamas terrorists and ensure that they do not commandeer the distribution of humanitarian aid. This will free the population from its dependence on Hamas, bring nearer the end of the Hamas regime, increase the Gazan civilians' willingness to cooperate in various ways with Israel, and will help end the war and the suffering of the Gazans. We must not run in place, but rather initiate and not give the enemy a moment to rest and reorganize.  

4. The politics of it: It appears that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has returned to his traditional approach, showing great enthusiasm for the current offensives. It's not our concern right now whether this happened simply to ward off the impending appointment of always-hawkish Gideon Saar as his replacement… 

Meanwhile, Saar and his party showed great national responsibility in agreeing to join the government even without receiving the Defense portfolio. Now is not the time to seek to topple the government and have a tense and divisive election campaign. Whatever Netanyahu's share in the responsibility for the catastrophe of October 7th, it is certainly indirect and secondary to that of the professional security and defense establishment. The latter failed outright in many areas, and also did not take the trouble to involve the Prime Minister in the decisions of that fateful night. We can look left and right, and we will find no one currently seeking to replace Netanyahu capable of managing this so-terribly complex and multi-front military and diplomatic and domestic campaign better than he can. 

The time to replace the Prime Minister will come when the war ends and the emergency situation is over. What is needed now is to strengthen our national unity and governmental stability. And this is what Saar and his colleagues are doing, by adding their views and approaches to the decision making process. Even if their interests include political ones in light of their dismal poll showings, they are to be commended for putting aside their deep differences and even personal resentments in order to work together on behalf of our vital national interests. 

Finally, the Answer to "What Will be on the Day After?" in Gaza

based on an article by Ron Ben-Yishai of Yediot Acharonot and a news clip by Amit Segal of Channel 12 news, edited and translated by Hillel Fendel.

Explaining the IDF's Powerful New Offensive in Gaza

Political commentators in Israel have been trying to explain what lies behind Israel's recent days of renewed, even-stronger offensives in northern Gaza. As of this writing, the Israel Air Force has struck more than 70 terrorist targets in Gaza over the past 24 hours, while over the past week large ground forces have entered Jebalya and other terrorist strongholds in the area and eliminated large numbers of terrorists.

Ron Ben-Yishai of Yediot Acharonot writes that the IDF is striving to cleanse the area of terrorists, remove the need to repeatedly enter Gaza, and ensure that Hamas is not able to take control of the humanitarian aid that the civilian population deserves. In short, "the idea is to make clear to Sinwar [leader of Hamas] that 'the game is over.'"

One of the IDF's declared objectives, Ben-Yishai explains, is the goal of "taking control of northern Gaza areas such as Jebalya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya in which Hamas is trying to rebuild its civilian power and military strongholds. Jebalya is now totally encircled for this purpose, as well as to neutralize as many terrorists as possible."

The main issue in northern Gaza is that while there are barely any tunnels left, there are some 300,000 "non-involved" civilians whose needs must be tended to. The humanitarian aid that they receive, which is frequently commandeered by Hamas, "prevents the IDF from properly cleaning out the area of terrorists," according to Ben-Yishai. "This is why the experienced Division 162, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, has been brought in to deal with the problem." 

The IDF is purposely advancing slowly, with firepower when needed, in order to encourage the civilians to leave. Corridors have been opened for travel southward, in which only civilians who have been cleared as non-terrorists may pass. IDF announcements in Arabic continually warn and call for voluntary evacuation. Humanitarian aid is offered generously in the areas to which they are relocating, untainted by Hamas.

Another objective of the present offensive is to obviate the need for the army to continually enter northern Gaza and cleanse it of terrorists. At the same time, this will enable the humanitarian aid to be distributed fairly, by international aid organizations, to those who need it. 

By thus entering and cleansing northern Gaza, Ben-Yishai opines – apparently based on IDF sources – the army might well be "building the infrastructure needed for the start of the civil administration or government that will replace Hamas."

Another goal that the IDF is seeking to achieve with this offensive is intensification of the pressure on Hamas leader Sinwar. "This will make it clear to him that the game is over, that he has no chance to rebuild Hamas, and that he would be best advised to reach an agreement for the release of the Israeli hostages that will bring an end to the warfare and suffering in Gaza."

Sinwar knows that when 300,000 Gazans become permanent refugees within Gaza, "this increases the population's fury and frustration and opposition to Hamas – all of which is already beginning to take on momentum."

Sinwar sees what is happening in Lebanon, Ben-Yishai concludes, "and might be thinking that the pressure upon him has relaxed. The current offensive proves to him that this would be a mistake on his part. Hopefully he will realize that Israel knows how to fight on two fronts at once, and that the pressure on him is only getting stronger."

Amit Segal of Channel 12 explained succinctly that we are finally seeing an answer to the long-asked question of how Israel envisions the "day after" the war in Gaza: "It will be many years, or forever, before Gaza has a lack of masculine fighting power between the ages of 18 to 35, or of weapons that can threaten us such as rifles or pistols. It therefore seems that Israel will have to enter Gaza [periodically]."

"But the difference this time is that we see that the IDF is making clear that after it leaves, neither the PA nor Hamas will replace it. What is happening is that we are emptying out areas. Jebalya is a large area, but it is not all of northern Gaza. It is therefore a perfect place for a pilot case: All the residents are removed, and are then returned in a filtered manner – residents yes, terrorists no. We then encircle the area, while inside it remain [in charge] only the humanitarian aid organizations."

First Time in America: No More "West Bank"

by 0404 news, translated by Hillel Fendel.

A city in Florida has passed a municipal council decision that the Biblical areas of Judea and Samaria, in modern-day Israel, will no longer be referred to by the phrase "West Bank." Mayor Larisa Svechin of Sunny Isles (pop. 22,000) led the way for the decision, under which the areas will be known only as "Judea and Samaria." 

The difference is that the name "West Bank" implies that the area is known only for having been captured by Israel from the Kingdom of Jordan, and ignores its Jewish history as the Biblical areas of Judea and Samaria. 

The city's decision followed an official visit to Florida by Yossi Dagan, the head of the Shomron Regional Council. In addition to meetings with Congressmen and others, he met with Mayor Svetchin. She apparently did not need much convincing; her bio on the city's website states that she is "a fierce advocate for democracy and is unapologetically Zionist. She unequivocally stands with Israel forever."

Explaining the decision, which is a first in the United States, Mayor Svetchin said, "The time has come that we adapt ourselves to the truth. The historic name of this area is Judea and Samaria, not the West Bank. Using the right term is not just a matter of [geographic] accuracy, but rather respect for the historic and Biblical connection of the Jewish Nation to the land. This decision reflects the solidarity between the residents of Sunny Isles and Israel, and shows our deep understanding and recognition of Israel's historic roots, which echo strongly within our community."

Council head Dagan congratulated the city and its mayor on its historic decision, and asked that Svetchin promote a similar initiative in the United States Congress. "The words West Bank should be deleted in all official U.S. texts, to be replaced by Judea and Samaria immediately," he said. "This historic and important decision in Sunny Isles should set the direction for all those for whom human history is important and who are not willing to accept the trampling of the truth."

Mayor Svetchin said that "standing up for truth is not just a powerful deed, but also has a wave effect. When one locale chooses courageously to speak the truth, this arouses others to do the same, and creates a wave of integrity and courage."

Dagan explained that the using the words "West Bank" – i.e., the western bank of the Jordan River border between Israel and Jordan – is actually a deception. "It seeks to imply that these areas are occupied by Israel, when in fact they are the cradle of the Bible and the heart of hearts of the Jewish Nation. Many of the most important events in the history of the Jewish People happened there: those of the Shilo tabernacle, of the Judges, and the Kings of Israel. In addition, the Patriarch Abraham entered the Promised Land here, his descendants lived here, Joshua built the Altar here, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried here, and more and more."

Dagan thanked Mayor Svetchin, "who has courageously pioneered and became the first to take this decision, and I am sure it will soon become the norm in the Western world that sees itself as a fighter for truth and justice."