The Sabra cactus fruit is a common analogy to Israeli pioneers and modern Olim: Spiky on the outside, sweet on the inside.
Israel is beautiful and inspiring. For the first time in human history, the Jewish people took their destiny into their own hands, and reclaimed their autonomy. This was an incredible challenge. For two thousand years, Jews were outsiders. A displaced people unwelcomed and marginalized. The creation of the Jewish state was therefore a rebranding of the identity of the Jew: a fundamental paradigm shift.
War is Israeli history and Israeli existence. Like anyone’s existence, Israel didn’t get to create the terms. Israel is a small country, with many enemies. It has fought many battles with existential threats. The Israeli military is rightfully named the Israeli Defense Force. Israeli’s drive to the battlefield, which are often in their backyard. Their homes and communities live near conflict zones like the Gaza strip or Syria. War is close, and while tensions do simmer down they never evaporate. Walking the streets of Tel Aviv are sure to fool anyone, but the days of Israel fighting battles for her right to exist are not over, and probably never will be.
Vigilance and strength are the tools that without the concept of the Jewish state would have never existed. Throughout human history these were the tools we lacked. Without the means of protecting ourselves, six million Jewish souls were taken by the hands of the Nazi regime. The world did nothing. While I can be disappointed in how the world responded, I am not surprised.
Jewish survival demanded adaptation. Beginning with Jewish settlement in British occupied Palestine, the modern Jew aka the tzabra or the Israeli was born. These are thick-skinned spartan-like men and women, hardened by suffering and softened by family, community and culture.
My people’s history is one of great suffering. It is about a people dispersed and segregated for 2,000 years, who somehow managed to stay connected and comeback together generations later and reconnect: in a beautiful honor to their lineage, families, faith and existence.
There has always needed to be a Jewish state. As long as nation states are the model, a Jewish state is crucial for the safety and security of the world Jewry.
I made Aliyah as to take ownership for my Jewish identity and to take accountability of Jewish history and well being. For two thousand years someone else held fate’s pen over my ancestors. Becoming Israeli is about reclaiming ownership over Jewish history and existence and is a cause worth giving everything for.
There has never been a better time in history to be Jewish, and the moments we live through now are trying ones. I am optimistic about the future of the Jewish state, the Middle East and humanity as a whole.
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