The consensus is that on October 7 Hamas and its terrorist allies took approximately 250 hostages during their attack on Israel. In reality Hamas and its terrorist allies have taken over 8 billion hostages. They have made psychological hostages of nearly every human being on earth. What other explanation could there be for what we are seeing play out in front of us?
In which world are the victims of an attack demonized almost immediately?
In which world is the right to defend oneself against an ongoing assault not recognized?
In which world can militants embed themselves amongst civilians with impunity, while those who fight back are accused of indiscriminate killing of innocents?
In which world can terrorists openly declare their desire for their own people to be killed so that their deaths can be abused for PR, and then the public buys the narrative hook, line, and sinker?
In which world does the “family of nations” repeatedly condemn the victims, while the aggressors are given carte blanche to do whatever they want?
In which world is a ceasefire, where one side has demonstrated ad nauseum, through words and actions, that it does not respect the ceasefire, the solution to a conflict?
In which world do we watch a terrorist, who was released in a lopsided “prisoner swap,” oversee the killing of 1,200 people, and then we call for an identical swap again and again?
In which world does a group of terrorists brutally murder hostages in anticipation of their impending rescue, and then their deaths are laid at the feet of the negotiator who refused to knuckle under to absurd deals?
In which world are citizens brutally murdered in captivity, only to have their own country targeted by arms embargoes lest they respond to those murders?
In which world? Sadly, it is our world.
The emperor has no clothes, and everyone is afraid to admit that they have noticed. 8 billion people have been conned into believing that the emperor is majestically attired, when, in reality, he is stark naked.
What are we to do? How do we survive in a world that has gone crazy?
Luckily we have the Torah that gives us clear guidance. Sadly, for too long the Torah’s guidance has been ignored by the very people for whom it is intended.
The Torah guides us on hostage negotiations. The Torah guides us on self-defense and security. The Torah guides us on PR and “hasbara.” For some reason, the people in charge are willing to try everything but what the Torah says to do.
We have now entered Elul, the month of mercy. May we merit to be the beneficiaries of Hashem’s infinite compassion. May we see the fulfillment of Psalm 29, “The L-rd will give strength to His people; the L-rd will bless His people with peace” through the coming of Mashiach and the complete Redemption.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin