Israel’s Prime Minister Golda Meir quietly pulled President Richard Nixon aside and insisted that her job was much more difficult than his.
When he sneered that America was a country of over 250 million people, she replied, “You may be the president of 250 million people,” she said, “but I’m the prime minister of five million prime ministers.”
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The democracy in Israel is indeed a very colored one, with nearly as many political parties as there are seats in the Knesset. But recent events may have changed that, at least for now.
Polls in Israel indicate an unprecedented level of unity. There is over 95% support for the current military operation. And Jews worldwide are awakening to the reality that we are one. In response to rockets landing in Israel, as well as anti-Israel and anti-Jewish demonstrations and attacks around the globe, the level of support from Diaspora Jews has skyrocketed. It’s not quite perfect, but it is at all-time highs.
It is sad that bloodshed and antagonism is what brings us together. Greater, however, is the gratification that Jews are able to rise above their differences and unite.
One of the remarkable displays of this unison is evident in the types of emails and Facebook posts that I have received and seen. One person, who does not consider himself to be observant, declared that we are truly witnessing the miracles of G-d. Imagine if, Heaven Forfend, the tens of tunnels had been successfully used to infiltrate Israel in a terror attack.
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This week’s parsha Devarim, includes the promise, “See, I have set the land before you; come and possess the land which the Lord swore to your forefathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them and their descendants after them.”
The Sifre explains that if the Children of Israel had not sent the spies, but had trusted God, they would not have needed weapons of war. The battle for the Holy Land was that much more difficult because of their own doubts.
If a modern-day version of the Spies showed up today, they would probably make an argument based, not on military concern, but on political fear. What will the UN say? How will we win the PR war? Will our image survive? Can’t we just compromise for the sake of peace?
The Torah is reminding us that when we know with conviction what is right, we must act upon it without reservation. By committing to do what is morally just and ethically required – protecting our men, women and children from terror and harm – we won’t need to worry as much about the political fallout.
It would behoove us to look at history. We have not survived based on political savvy or military might alone. The ancient Egyptians, Romans and the recent Nazis all outpaced us in those arenas. We are here today because we affirm the values of Torah and live with them. We are simply too small to survive without G-d’s assistance.
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It is this unity, the groundswell of faith and solidarity that is contributing to our safety and security. Certainly, the Iron Dome is a miracle of technology. Certainly the dollars from America go a long way. Certainly, intelligence is critical.
But all of that is meaningless if G-d is not protecting us. And when He sees us united on behalf of our people and our land, He remembers His own promise to His people.
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Israel needs more arms and firepower. Let’s leave it to the generals and diplomats to deal with the physical arms. We can, however, contribute our own arms and firepower. By extending our arms to put on tefillin and kindling a flame to light Shabbat candles, we are delivering the greatest support we can to Israel.
May we see the fulfillment of the words of Tehillim (Psalms), “Behold the Guardian of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”