The Path of the Just? Or the Path of the Suicide Bomber?
bs”d
Jewish kids are learning the 13 Midot, or Principles of Life during their time in school. These consist of the values of Truth, Fastidiousness, Diligence, Honor, Peace of Mind, Gentleness, Cleanliness, Patience, Order, Humility, Righteousness, Thrift, and Silence, in their time and in their place. What are the children in this Palestinian school studying?
These children deserve to be protected and cherished by their parents, not to believe that they are throw-away children, who’s primary value lies in strapping a suicide belt to their waist. This is a tragedy not only for Israel, but for Arab society, and for the world.
Contrast this with a beautiful song, sung by Guy Tvi Mintz and rabbi Lazer Brody, which is a part of what we read with our children as we say the bedtime Shema with them and tuck them into bed every single night.
“May no person in the world be punished because of me..”
What a crock of shit! Practice what you preach is what I say!
ATW
bs”d
Not “May no person be punished — ever.” Where is the justice in that? What about murderers, kidnappers, slanderers?
No, it is thus: “May no person be punished because of me“. I’m sure you’ll interpret this they way you see fit, but the fact of the matter is, the prayer is a request that no one else would be punished because of my sin. Your sins are yours, mine are mine. A just G-d punishes each for their own sins.
Slightly off topic — but it illustrates the concept clearly — contrast that to the Code of Hammurabi, which is hundreds of years older than the Torah, where retaliation against innocent parties was legislated. As an example, if your daughter died because a building that I built collapsed on her without outside cause, then according to the Laws of Hammurabi, my daughter was then killed. This is the vendetta system, so prevalent in the ancient world, and still in force in some primitive societies.
The main point of posting both videos was a comparison/contrast between the two societies in how they treat and view their children. Jewish children are allowed a childhood. From what I have seen in this video, it appears that the children who must suffer under the dictates of the Palestinian Authority have been robbed of this necessity.
In opposition to such an unjust system as the Code of Hammurabi or other vendetta systems, the Torah legislates that only the guilty party should be punished. Back to the example of the building. If I build something with inferior materials and workmanship, and as a result, people die when the building collapses, then I will be punished. Was I punished because of the people who died? No. I was punished because of my choices; to build with inferior materials and workmanship. Is a kidnapper punished on account of the person they kidnapped? No. He is punished because he chose to commit a heinous crime.
Back to the prayer, this concept is also in place for sin. The prayer which is being sung by Mr. Mintz and rabbi Brody, which Jewish parents all over the world pray with their children each night when they tuck them in for the night, is referring primarily to sin.
As I viewed the first video, it brought to mind the Hitler Youth Movement.
With the second one, I felt a need to repent of my lack of forgiveness.
The contrast is striking. Thanks!
bs”d
Michelle,
Yes, the contrast is huge. It amazes me how consistent and similar the enemies of Israel, and bigots in general, are from generation to generation.
For example, notice how often the Islamic extremists cover their faces…so much like the KKK.