Is Netanyahu Offering A Tahadiyeh?

Dr. Aaron Lerner has made a translation of the remarks made by Netanyahu at the Start of today's Cabinet Meeting.

Dr. Lerner notes that Netanyahu appears to make a particularly shortsighted comment:

Observation: PM Netanyahu and the Jewish Rip Van Winkle
Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 14 November 2010

"I insist that any proposal meet the State of Israel's security needs, both in the immediate term and vis-à-vis the threats that we will face in the coming decade."

PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of Today's Cabinet Meeting
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)14.11.10

Mr. Netanyahu has children and grandchildren.

His only concern is for the next decade?


This attitude of sacrificing the welfare of future generations for the sake of short-term gain runs counter to Jewish tradition. The story is told (Ta'anit, 23a) of Honi Hame'agel, the Jewish Rip Van Winkle, who saw an old man planting a carob tree. He asked the man why he was working so hard, since the tree would bear fruit only in 70 years.

Replied the man: "I found a world with carobs because my forefathers planted them, and I say: I also plant a carob tree ... for my children after me."

We owe it to ourselves, to previous generations who sacrificed so much to get us here as well as to the unborn future generations, to resist the temptation to forfeit the future in return for what at best may be momentary relief.

As Jews especially, who have been around a good deal longer than the Muslims, we realize how short a time 10 years is and how much can happen and change over that period of time. Just as  Israel will not accept a Tahadiyeh--a mere lull in the fighting--it should not be suggesting one of its own.

From Jihad Watch:

"If Muslims are weak, a truce may be made for ten years if necessary, for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) made a truce with the Quraysh for that long, as is related by Abu Dawud" ('Umdat al-Salik, o9.16).

Netanyahu should not be doing their work for them.

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