The Jewish month of Elul is a month of introspection. Jews all over the world begin preparing for the Jewish New Year and for the holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Many of us wake up early or go to sleep late, adding prayers that focus on repentance and forgiveness. On Rosh HaShanah we hear the call of the shofar and tremble as we are judged for the year that follows. Whether observant or nonobservant, most Jewish Israelis are deeply moved by these Days of Awe. Never has this been truer than as we celebrate the coming of 5786.
Israel has been in a state of introspection since October 7, 2023, a day which, according to tradition, should have celebrated Simchas Torah, the completion of the Torah cycle—a day characterized by unrestrained joy. Instead, we suffered an unfathomable attack that resulted in the death of more than 1,200 of our people. Women, children, and elderly were murdered, butchered, raped, burned, and kidnapped. The war that commenced has embroiled the entire nation for nearly two years and has both united our soldiers on the battlefield and revealed tremendous schisms in our society.
The ability of Jews to disagree is well known. Comedians have made their careers caricaturing this proficiency. Since October 7, 2023, after a brief period of nearly universal national unity, calls for a State Commission of Inquiry on the factors leading to the massacre in the Gaza envelope have resounded throughout the country. Such introspection has been resisted by the government, which feels it should only be conducted after our victory over Hamas is complete.
It is painful and unusual for Israelis to criticize the actions of our elected government while at war. The Yom Kippur War in 1973 was a devastating blow, with nearly 3,000 soldiers killed in the initial phase and Syrian tanks well on their way to Tel Aviv. Israel was caught by surprise and underprepared. After regrouping and successfully mounting offensives in the North and South, hostilities terminated. The government then established (November 21, 1973) the Agranat Commission to evaluate intelligence failings and the readiness of the IDF. The findings of the committee resulted in turmoil both among the public and within the army. Its release eventually led to the fall of the Golda Meir–led government. Its findings also resulted in reforms and rehabilitation of the IDF.
The present war, the longest continual war in the history of the Jewish State, has been ongoing for nearly two years. It began with a catastrophic intelligence failure. Despite the passing of two years, no official independent commission of inquiry has been appointed. Many in Israel are haunted by the failure to be prepared for the October 7, 2023, attack and are cynical about the failure of so many in leadership positions to take responsibility. It is still unclear what changes have been instituted to prevent such breakdowns in the future.
Since the Israel–Iran phase of this war, the military defeat of Hezbollah, and the collapse of the Assad-led Syrian government, the focus of the IDF has been on crushing Hamas and recovery of the hostages. While the goals of this action are widely supported, many oppose the strategy now being employed. If we verbalize these concerns publicly, are we traitors? Are we hurting our soldiers? Are we naïve left-wingers who do not understand reality? Or are we apprehensive Israelis who believe that the path now being followed will have harmful consequences for our Homeland?
Introspection is not easy. Criticizing one’s loved ones is extremely difficult. None of us likes to pass judgment on our brothers. Nevertheless, silence in the face of what appear to be counterproductive decisions by our government is tacit support. As we ponder our actions of the last year, our leaders need to consider theirs. Since June 1, 50 more soldiers have fallen in battle. During this time, the IDF recovered just five bodies. This is despite a massive incursion into Gaza City by tens of thousands of troops. This foray has been defined as ill-advised by senior military leaders, many of whom were appointed by the present government. Will the political leadership continue to follow the present path regardless of the costs?
Our tradition teaches that after introspection, soul-searching, and confession, we stand before G-d and ask for a favorable judgment. The citizens of Israel are not fully equipped to judge the current strategies of the IDF. Nevertheless, it is our right—indeed, our duty—to ask the government leadership to contemplate where they are leading us and to consider whether we are going astray. As I write, Australia, Canada, and the UK have announced their recognition of a Palestinian state. This ill-advised and unprecedented decision is sure to be denounced. It will not help the Palestinians or the hostages, but will surely help Hamas. It will provide oxygen for the forces of terrorism in the Middle East and in Europe. It will harm the Palestinian people. It is the outcome of both the inability of Western nations to understand the actions and intent of the Gazans and of the present policies of our government. It should be taken as a harbinger of the future isolation of Israel and our people. It cannot be ignored nor dismissed by those leaders who judge and make our policy decisions.
In several weeks, Israelis will gather to celebrate another cycle of completion of the reading of the Torah. That day should be one filled with joy and simchah (happiness). Many of us will indeed revel with the Torah and share the spirit of the occasion with children, grandchildren, and friends. While 48 of our brethren lie deep underground or in Hamas-guarded cells, such simchah will be dampened by the pain of our communal longing for their return. We all pray for a divine judgment that will help the world to understand the difference between evil and good and result in the return of every hostage. May this be G-d’s will.
Dr. Naider is a former provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the College of Staten Island and Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at the City University of New York. He lives in Rehovot. The opinions in this article are his own.