Strong Enough to Defend, Good Enough to Deserve

“God has given us the land, but we have to take it in a way that is viable, that respects the dignity of other human beings.”

There are two truths in that sentence, and as Jews we have no right to separate them.

The first truth is that the Jewish people must never again be defenseless. Never again. We have wandered for nearly two thousand years. We have been expelled, persecuted, humiliated, robbed, hunted and murdered. Too often we depended upon the goodwill of governments and the mercy of people who suddenly discovered that their mercy had limits. The State of Israel changed that reality.

The second truth is equally Jewish: power is not our purpose. We did not return to the Land of Israel merely to become another powerful nation. We returned to build a Jewish society shaped by Torah, where strength protects life, where justice restrains power, and where the dignity of the human being remains sacred because every human being was created בצלם אלוקים — in the image of God.

Israel must therefore be powerful enough to defend itself. But Israel must also remain good enough to deserve the power placed in its hands.

The Torah never commands a Jew to stand quietly while someone comes to murder him. “If someone comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first” (Sanhedrin 72a) is responsibility, not cruelty. “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16). There is no contradiction between Torah and Jewish strength.

When Yaakov heard that Esav was approaching with four hundred men, he was afraid he might be killed and distressed that he might have to kill. He prepared to fight. He did not surrender. He did not become intoxicated with violence. Ready to defend. Never in love with war.

Jewish history has already taught the price of weakness. In 1948 armies came against the newborn state. In 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked on Yom Kippur. In our generation Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime have spoken openly about destroying Israel. Jews should listen when people tell us what they intend to do.

But power is not our God. Pirkei Avot asks who is mighty, and answers: one who conquers his inclination. Zechariah said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.” David fought, and still the House of Peace was left to Shlomo. “Hashem will give strength to His people; Hashem will bless His people with peace.” Strength is given. Peace is the blessing.

The land was given, and the land is also Hashem’s. We are custodians. “Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and inherit the land.” Justice and possession are connected.