Machshava:

Israel,  Religious Zionism,  Yom Ha'atzmaut 

Collections: R' Shvat Short Thoughts on the War in Israel

Description

The Jewish calendar is full of holidays where we celebrate the downfall of our enemies, like Pesach, Purim, Chanukah and more recently Yom HaAtzma'ut. This obligation of celebrating victories and thanking Hashem for His help should apparently also aplly regarding the extraordinary recent elimination of Nasralla and the Hizballa leadership. Nevertheless, though very strongly based in the sources, this celebration may seem a little awkward in the western world, especially when seemingly backed up by several verses, and customs (e.g. removing drops from the wine-cup at the Seder, and not reciting full Hallel on Pesach), which are often explained as "diluting" such festivities when God's creations, albeit our enemies, fall. This timely issue and its apparently contradictory sources demand clarification.