The Price of Freedom

This morning the government of Israel has decided to free 200 Palestinian prisoners. Olmert, our great and illustrious Prime Minister, explains that it is a good will gesture to Abu Mazen, the leader of the Palestinian Authority. One can only sit and wonder what the government is trying to accomplish. Possibly they are trying to turn Gilad Shalit into the next Jonathan Pollard, and have him stay where he is for the next twenty years.

Of course, it is possible that Olmert actually believes that giving up two hundred prisoners with no accompanying conditions could actually help bring peace to the Middle East. Then again it is highly likely that the pressure of the constant police investigations into is private life have caused him to half memory loss.

The last time we began in unconditional trade with the Palestinians we gave the only piece of land that separated Ashkelon from Azza. Olmert must have forgotten how badly that went.

Strangely weeks before he is to leave his office he finds it crucial to free prisoners for peace. Almost as if he is setting up the next office for faliure. It is a common enough practice that when you are fired and upset about it you destroy something in the office, delete files, or something of the sort. Maybe Olmert is nothing more than a disgruntled employee and just wants to screw over the next guy.

One thing is for sure, freeing Gilad Shalit will only get harder. If we were giving away two hundred prisoners for free, imagine how much it will cost when we actually want to buy something

A Jewish State or State with Jews

The other day was Tisha Be-av a fast commemorating the destruction of the second temple; a day in which we mourn our exile. Yet in this country despite, the hours spent in prayer and fasting there is no sympathy for the religious. While many of my non-religious colleagues do keep the customs of this day many do not. Therefore, work is mandatory. I of course had to spend a vacation day so as not to come.

A little background on the customs of this day. Up until noon you are not supposed to be involved in anything that does not have directly to do with the fast. This includes studying Torah which surprisingly is also not allowed. You cannot sit on chairs, cannot shower, shave, watch TV, read a book, or anything of the sort. This is a day that we remember the greatest tragedy that ever happened to the Jewish Nation.

While other fast days come and go, I do not complain. On a regular fast day I can work despite not eating or drinking. This fast is unique and yet the "Jewish State" pays no attention.

Some people may argue that a Jewish State does not necessarily mean a religious state, and I wholeheartedly agree. This is a secular state and must remain that way. But, we cannot forget what makes us Jewish. We can never have a one hundred percent secular state, because who we are is based on our religion. What makes us different, and what singles us out from the rest of the world is our beliefs.

As a Jewish State we cannot ignore our past nor can we ignore our traditions. If anything we must be a traditionalist state. A state that remembers where it comes from and where it is going.

When we forget why we have the need for a Jewish State, why it is important. How we have been singled out time and again for extermination by almost every nation in the world. Only then will we remember that we have to stand up and protect ourselves. Only then will we refuse to give away our hard earned land to our enemies. Because we will remember that at some point in time we were oppressed by almost every nation on this planet. We will remember what is so important about a Jewish State.
The only people we can rely upon are our own.