Infinity Arabs do not equal the life of one Jew. If the only way to protect one, single Jew - - - let alone thousands and millions - - - is by total genocide, is it not logical to do so? If you're allowed to do anything to protect yourself, is there a limit to how many people you can kill? If the only choice you have is to kill them before they kill you, your family, and your loved ones, are you really going to contemplate otherwise? JTF has been warning for years that this is a war, it will get only worse, and I don't want to risk our lives for the chance that maybe they are innocent. There are no guarantees in life. You don't see parents tell their kids to not look both ways when you cross a street, to talk to strangers, or to open the dooor without asking. Sometimes it's okay to do otherwise. But are you really going to risk it? Are you really going to take a chance and ha faith in these "people"? If those Arabs that we kill are truly "harmless" then Hashem will put them in a better place. But I'm not going to entertain the possibility that they aren't dangerous because of a) history b) Jewish Law c) take a look at the world. Maybe I just love my fellow Jews too way much. Or maybe I just understand the truth about war, self-defense, and Islam.
Mo1988,
It is admirable you have so much zeal but as you grow older you will realize that we cannot just kill all those who we dont like. We have a right, and a mitzvah to protect ourselves and our children and our generation from enemies. But who are you, or who am I, to be the final judge and jury on people? There is a fine line between killing in anger and killing because we have to. Nowhere in Torah are we commanded to kill everyone. This is one of the biggest differences between Judaism and Islam. Islamists think they have a commandment to kill the non-believer. Judaism doesnt have such a desire. We are different from our enemies in that we value life.
I work with people from all different backgrounds. I work with people from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and all points between. I cannot go around thinking they are all going to kill me. And I am very, very Jewish in my appearance and they know that I am Jewish and I listen to Israel Radio in the lunch room. I dont hate them in the least and I am treated respectfully by them. People are basically good, in my experience. Our sages told us not to make Hate and Anger into idols and I live by this.
I know who my enemies are, and they are not every arab in the street. While it is true that Islam is a virus and needs to be crushed, it is not accomplished by resorting to the tactics our enemies use. We must be strong, destroy our enemies, and maintain our position in Israel. We cannot show weakness and retreat. I will say again that in most cases, here in America, people are for the most part good. I have never seen any acts of antisemitism before my eyes.
By the way mo1988, please back up your assertion about the value of Jewish life with at least some scriptural source. I dont know where in Torah it says that Arab lives are worth nothing. Look at the story of Ishmael in Bereshit. Avraham had just sent Hagar and her young, sick child Ishmael from the house. They wandered in the desert and Ishmael was very, very sick. Hashem could have let him die in the desert and yet, even though Ishmael was the progenitor of the Arabs, Hashem let him live. The angels were very confused by this and asked Hashem why. Hashem said that Ishmael would be judged for where he is now, not what he is responsible for in the future. This is very interesting when you study the Torah.
You are certainly on the right track but your zealousness may not result in much change, IMHO.
muman613
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246646/jewish/Isaac-Ishmael.htm
Ishmael
As we know, Isaac was not Abraham’s first born, for Hagar had borne him Ishmael thirteen years earlier. But Ishmael had not grown up as his father had hoped. He was inclined towards many things Abraham considered wicked. Ishmael even prayed to idols when he believed himself unobserved.
Sarah observed him and realized that he would have a bad influence upon the young Isaac. She therefore implored Abraham to send Ishmael away. Abraham understood the motive of his wife’s request, but he feared to send his son away to a place where he might become even worse. However, G-d told Abraham to do as Sarah had requested, and Abraham then sent Hagar and Ishmael away, providing them with water and food for the journey.
The Miraculous Well
Hagar and Ishmael lost their way in the wilderness of Beer Sheba and soon ran out of water. Hagar could not watch the boy’s suffering and put him in the shade of a bush, while she sat some distance away and cried. An angel then called to Hagar and assured her that G-d had seen the suffering of her boy. He would live and become the father of a mighty nation. And suddenly, Hagar saw a spring nearby.
Hagar and Ishmael were saved from death and continued their journey. G-d blessed the boy, for he was Abraham’s son. Ishmael grew up into a strong man. He lived on the outskirts of the desert and became a great archer. Ishmael lived his life in his own way. He married and had many children. His children multiplied and became known under the name of Ishmaelites, or Arabs, the people of the desert.
Topic: Targeting Civilian Areas During Wartime (Read 10539 times)