It is indeed symbolic that the massacre in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, occurred on the 18th of Cheshvan, the yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir Kahane – the man who coined the phrase “Never Again” and who pleaded with American Jewry to arm itself.
He would shout forth, “Every Jew a .22” – that is, a .22-caliber gun – and his disciples would add, “Stay alive with a .45.” How different the Pittsburgh attack might have ended had more Jews hearkened to Kahane’s words.
Kahane was assassinated 28 years ago after he gave a speech at the Marriott Hotel in New York City. Twenty-eight is the numerical value of “ko’ach,” strength. Kahane dreamed of a strong, armed Disapora Jewry and a strong Israel that wouldn’t cower before the international community.
Rabbi Kahane’s last speech was at a ZEERO (Zionist Emergency Evacuation Relief Organization) conference urging American Jews to make aliyah before a storm of anti-Semitism hit the shores of America. The insane anti-Semite who opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue blamed Jews for defending minorities and refugees. For the extreme right, Jews are too kind to Muslims and other immigrants. For the extreme left, the Jewish nation in Israel has the chutzpah to defend itself against terror.
In America and Europe, the haters call on Jews to “go home to Israel.” In Israel, the Arabs demand that we return to the exile.
Our rabbis teach us that Esav hates Jacob. In every generation, they rise up to destroy us. It is an exercise in futility to think we can change that reality and buy the love of gentiles by assimilating or becoming more right wing or left wing.
The Talmud teaches us that sinah (hatred for the Jewish people) came about because the Jews received G-d’s Torah at Mount Sinai. Before that, the nations hated Lot, Abraham’s nephew, because he resembled Abraham, G-d’s chosen one at the time. Kayin likewise hated Hevel because G-d chose Hevel’s offering over his.
We can never buy the love of gentiles, but we can gain their respect – by having self-respect and defending ourselves. Yes, the Jews should organize patrols and be more vigilant about their safety and security. But Jews should also come home to Israel, whose leaders must free themselves of their slave mentality and let the IDF do everything it can to protect Jewish lives.
The solution is in our hands. If we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves, we can ask G-d to help us and do His share. Faith in G-d and not in the gentiles! Jewish power and Jewish faith! Israel and American Jewry’s leaders must abandon their galut mentality and stop thinking the nations will save us if we only show restraint.