Israeli Politics

Across the Jewish world, thousands of shuls, yeshivos, and minyanim are saying the prayer for the IDF soldiers. Now – more than ever – this prayer is meaningful, significant, and very emotional. As I say these words each day, I see faces of beautiful young men who will never be returning home. Each morning, as I turn on my phone and look at the news, my heart breaks: a young father from Yitzhar, a medical student from Tel Aviv, a lone soldier from France, a new immigrant from New Jersey, a 53-year-old IDF commander from Petach Tikvah, and a 19-year-old new recruit from Eilat – from every city in Israel, every demographic group, every level of observance. A dear friend told me that these soldiers are today’s “korbanos” – unblemished sacrifices who have been offered on the altar.

October 7, 2023, will be remembered as the day that changed Israel forever. From the first news report right up to this very moment, world Jewry “stepped up to the plate” and shared a tremendous burden with fellow Jews in Israel. From unprecedented donations of money and supplies to helping fight evil on social media, Jews – in every part of the world – assisted in countless ways. And we sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is now time for us to return the favor.

Instead of apologizing and feeling guilty about who we are, the Jewish people need to stand proud and begin educating the world. I would begin by pointing out how the founding of America was inspired and motivated by many of our Jewish leaders.

The discussions have already begun. How will the world memorialize the 1,400 Jews brutally massacred on October 7? Monuments? Statues? Museums? If it’s up to me, I would politely decline all three. Of course, we must remember the holy Jews killed al kiddush Hashem; but the last thing we need is another museum of dead Jews.

The world can’t figure something out: Why are Jews in the Diaspora helping Israel in enormous proportions and – even more unbelievable – why, specifically now, are more Jews talking about aliyah than ever before? A good friend of mine, who is a real estate broker in Israel, told me that his phone is “ringing off the hook” (an expression that anyone under 30 has no idea what it means!). He said, “Shmuel, I really shouldn’t say this – but this war is the best thing that happened to my business!” Why is that? Over 1,200 Jews are slaughtered in one day, 4,000 are wounded, over 200 taken hostage, missiles are flying all over the country, 300,000 men and women have been called to the army, a war is going on… and people want to move here? Yes, it’s perfectly normal, and allow me to explain.

This Thursday – the 18^th of MarCheshvan – marks the 33^rd yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir Kahane. I am proud to have been a student and follower of his from my early teens. I continue to quote him extensively, teach his Torah wisdom, and publicly call him “Rebbi U’Mori” – my rabbi and my teacher. Over the years, countless people have advised me to drop “the Rabbi Kahane thing” – as it would label me an extremist and prevent my success, but I never listened to them. I have spoken in over 500 Jewish communities across America and Canada and in every one, I say it loud and say it proud: “Rabbi Meir Kahane was – and still is – my guide, my mentor, and my rav. I agree with every word he wrote and spoke.” But it wasn’t just his words that excited me – he was the greatest rabbi of action that I ever met. He did not sit in an office while sending others to do his work. He was the first to fight the anti-Semites, the first to protest Jewish suffering, and the first to be arrested battling evil and injustice.